Anatomy and histology of the lung

Abstract

The lung is uniquely designed to accomplish its major functions of movement of air and the delivery of oxygen to and removal of carbon dioxide from the circulation. Pulmonary anatomic compartments are tightly integrated for this purpose, while redundancy of structures and provisions for collateral ventilation and blood flow enable the lung to rapidly adjust to physiologic demands and meet the challenges imposed by disease. The intricate net-like connective tissue skeleton of the lung, with its intrinsic elasticity, enables the lung to function as a cohesive unit. Protected by the rigid thoracic cage and sealed in a bellows-like chamber, the lung responds to cyclical volume and pressure fluctuations coordinated with contractions of the diaphragm and thoracic muscles of respiration on the order of 16 breaths per minute. © 2008 Springer New York.