It is important to know what the lungs are, where they are located in a person, and what functions they perform. The respiratory organ is located in the chest in humans. The chest is one of the most interesting anatomical systems. The bronchi, heart, some other organs and large vessels are also located here. This system is formed by the ribs, spine, sternum and muscles. It reliably protects all important internal organs and at the expense pectoral muscles ensures uninterrupted functioning of the respiratory organ, which is almost completely occupied chest cavity. The respiratory organ expands and contracts several thousand times a day.
Where are a person's lungs located?
The lungs are a paired organ. Right and left lung play main role V respiratory system. They distribute oxygen throughout the circulatory system, where it is absorbed by red blood cells. The work of the respiratory organ leads to the release of carbon dioxide from the blood, which breaks down into water and carbon dioxide.
Where are the lungs located? The lungs are located in the human chest and have a very complex connecting structure with the airways, circulatory systems, lymphatic vessels and nerves. All these systems are intertwined in an area called the “gate.” Here is located pulmonary artery, main bronchus, branches of nerves, bronchial artery. The so-called “root” contains lymphatic vessels and pulmonary veins.
The lungs look like a vertically dissected cone. They have:
- one convex surface (costal, adjacent to the ribs);
- two convex surfaces (diaphragmatic, medial or median, separating the respiratory organ from the heart);
- interlobar surfaces.
The lungs are separated from the liver, spleen, colon, stomach and kidneys. The separation is carried out using a diaphragm. These internal organs border large vessels and the heart. They are limited from behind by the back.
The shape of the respiratory organ in humans depends on the anatomical features of the body. They can be narrow and elongated or short and wide. The shape and size of the organ also depend on the phase of breathing.
To better understand where and how the lungs are located in the chest and how they border with other organs and blood vessels, you need to pay attention to the photos that are located in the medical literature.
Covered respiratory organ serous membrane: smooth, shiny, moist. In medicine it is called pleura. The pleura in the area of the pulmonary root passes to the surface of the chest cavity and forms the so-called pleural sac.
Anatomy of the lungs
It is important to remember that the right and left lung have their own anatomical features and differ from each other. First of all they have different quantities lobes (separation occurs due to the presence of so-called slits located on the surface of the organ).
On the right there are three lobes: lower; average; upper (in upper lobe there are oblique fissure, horizontal fissure, right lobar bronchi: upper, lower, middle).
In the left there are two lobes: the upper (here is the lingular bronchus, the carina of the trachea, the intermediate bronchus, the main bronchus, the left lobar bronchi - lower and upper, the oblique fissure, the cardiac notch, the uvula of the left lung) and the lower. The left one differs from the right one in its larger size and the presence of a tongue. Although according to such an indicator as volume, the right lung is larger than the left.
The base of the lungs rests on the diaphragm. The upper part of the respiratory organ is located in the area of the collarbone.
The lungs and bronchi must be in close relationship. The work of some is impossible without the work of others. Each lung contains so-called bronchial segments. There are 10 of them in the right, and 8 in the left. Each segment contains several bronchial lobes. It is believed that there are only 1600 bronchial lobes in the human lungs (800 each in the right and left).
The bronchi branch (bronchioles form alveolar ducts and small alveoli, which form breathing tissue) and form a complex woven network or bronchial tree, which provides nutrition circulatory systems oxygen. The alveoli contribute to the fact that when exhaling, the human body releases carbon dioxide, and when inhaling, it is from them that oxygen enters the blood.
Interestingly, when you inhale, not all the alveoli are filled with oxygen, but only a small part of them. The other part is a kind of reserve that comes into effect during physical activity or stressful situations. Maximum amount The air that a person can inhale characterizes the vital capacity of the respiratory organ. It can range from 3.5 liters to 5 liters. In one breath, a person absorbs approximately 500 ml of air. This is called tidal volume. Vital capacity lungs and tidal volume are different for women and men.
The blood supply to this organ occurs through the pulmonary and bronchial vessels. Some perform the function of gas removal and gas exchange, others provide nutrition to the organ; these are the vessels of the small and large circle. The physiology of breathing will certainly be disrupted if the ventilation of the respiratory organ is disrupted or the speed of blood flow decreases or increases.
Lung functions
- normalization of blood pH;
- protecting the heart, for example, from mechanical impact (when there is a blow to the chest, it is the lungs that suffer);
- protecting the body from various respiratory infections(parts of the lung secrete immunoglobulins and antimicrobial compounds);
- blood storage (this is a kind of blood reservoir human body, approximately 9% of the total blood volume is located here);
- creating voice sounds;
- thermoregulation.
The lungs are a very vulnerable organ. Its diseases are very common all over the world and there are a lot of them:
- COPD;
- asthma;
- bronchitis different types and types;
- emphysema;
- cystic fibrosis;
- tuberculosis;
- pneumonia;
- sarcoidosis;
- pulmonary hypertension;
- pulmonary embolism, etc.
They can be provoked various pathologies, gene diseases, wrong lifestyle. The lungs are very closely related to other organs found in the human body. It often happens that they suffer even if the main problem is related to a disease of another organ.
In the building human body Quite interesting is such an “anatomical structure” as the chest, where the bronchi and lungs, the heart and large vessels, as well as some other organs are located. This part of the body, formed by the ribs, sternum, spine and muscles, is designed to reliably protect the organ structures located inside it from external influence. Also, due to the respiratory muscles, the chest provides breathing, in which the lungs play one of the most important roles.
The human lungs, the anatomy of which will be discussed in this article, are very important organs, because it is thanks to them that the breathing process is carried out. They fill the entire chest cavity, with the exception of the mediastinum, and are the main ones in the entire respiratory system.
In these organs, the oxygen contained in the air is absorbed by special blood cells (erythrocytes), and carbon dioxide is also released from the blood, which then breaks down into two components - carbon dioxide and water.
Where are the lungs in humans (with photo)
When approaching the question of where the lungs are located, you should first pay attention to one very fun fact regarding these organs: the location of the lungs in humans and their structure are presented in such a way that they very organically combine airways, blood and lymphatic vessels and nerves.
Externally, the anatomical structures considered are quite interesting. In their shape, each of them is similar to a vertically dissected cone, in which one convex and two concave surfaces can be distinguished. The convex one is called costal, due to its direct contact with the ribs. One of the concave surfaces is diaphragmatic (adjacent to the diaphragm), the other is medial, or in other words, median (i.e. located closer to the median longitudinal plane of the body). In addition, interlobar surfaces are also distinguished in these organs.
With the help of the diaphragm, the right side of the anatomical structure we are considering is separated from the liver, and left side from the spleen, stomach, left kidney and transverse colon. The middle surfaces of the organ border on large vessels and the heart.
It is worth noting that the place where a person’s lungs are located also affects their shape. If a person has a narrow and long chest, then the lungs are correspondingly elongated and vice versa, these organs have a short and wide appearance with a similar shape chest.
Also in the structure of the described organ there is a base that lies on the dome of the diaphragm (this is the diaphragmatic surface) and an apex that protrudes into the neck area approximately 3-4 cm above the collarbone.
To form a clearer picture of what these anatomical structures look like, as well as to understand where the lungs are, the photo below is perhaps the best visual aid:
Anatomy of the right and left lung
Do not forget that the anatomy of the right lung is different from the anatomy of the left lung. These differences lie primarily in the number of shares. On the right there are three (the bottom one, which is the largest, the top one, slightly smaller, and the smallest of the three - the middle one), while on the left there are only two (top and bottom). In addition, the left lung has a tongue located on its cutting edge, as well as this organ, due to the lower position of the left dome of the diaphragm, is slightly longer in length than the right one.
Before entering the lungs, air first passes through other equally important parts of the respiratory tract, in particular the bronchi.
The anatomy of the lungs and bronchi overlaps, so much so that it is difficult to imagine the existence of these organs separately from each other. In particular, each lobe is divided into bronchopulmonary segments, which are sections of the organ, to one degree or another isolated from the same neighboring ones. In each of these areas there is a segmental bronchus. There are 18 such segments in total: 10 on the right and 8 on the left side of the organ.
The structure of each segment is represented by several lobules - areas within which the lobular bronchus branches. It is believed that a person has about 1,600 lobules in his main respiratory organ: approximately 800 on the right and left.
However, the conjugation of the location of the bronchi and lungs does not end there. The bronchi continue to branch, forming bronchioles of several orders, and they, in turn, give rise to alveolar ducts, dividing from 1 to 4 times and ultimately ending in alveolar sacs, into the lumen of which the alveoli open.
Such branching of the bronchi forms the so-called bronchial tree, otherwise called the airways. In addition to them, there is also an alveolar tree.
Anatomy of the blood supply to the lungs in humans
Anatomy connects the blood supply to the lungs with the pulmonary and bronchial vessels. The former, entering the pulmonary circulation, are mainly responsible for the function of gas exchange. Second, belonging big circle, provide nutrition to the lungs.
It is worth noting that the body’s nutrition largely depends on the extent to which the various lung areas are ventilated. This is also influenced by the relationship between blood flow rate and ventilation. A significant role is played by the degree of saturation of the blood with hemoglobin, as well as the rate of passage of gases through the membrane located between the alveoli and capillaries, and some other factors. When even one indicator changes, the physiology of breathing is disrupted, which negatively affects the entire body.
This article has been read 99,234 times.
Outside, the trachea and large bronchi are covered with a loose connective tissue sheath - adventitia. The outer shell (adventitia) consists of loose connective tissue containing in large bronchi fat cells. It contains blood lymphatic vessels and nerves. The adventitia is not clearly demarcated from the peribronchial connective tissue and together with the latter, it provides the possibility of some displacement of the bronchi in relation to the surrounding parts of the lungs.
Further inward are the fibrocartilaginous and partially muscular layers, the submucosal layer and the mucous membrane. In addition to cartilaginous half-rings, the fibrous layer contains a network of elastic fibers. The fibrocartilaginous membrane of the trachea is connected to neighboring organs using loose connective tissue.
The anterior and lateral walls of the trachea and large bronchi are formed by cartilage and annular ligaments located between them. The cartilaginous skeleton of the main bronchi consists of half-rings of hyaline cartilage, which, as the diameter of the bronchi decreases, decreases in size and acquires the character of elastic cartilage. Thus, only large and medium bronchi consist of hyaline cartilage. Cartilages occupy 2/3 of the circumference, the membranous part - 1/3. They form a fibrocartilaginous skeleton, which ensures the preservation of the lumen of the trachea and bronchi.
Muscle bundles are concentrated in the membranous part of the trachea and main bronchi. There is a superficial, or outer, layer, consisting of rare longitudinal fibers, and a deep, or internal, layer, which is a continuous thin shell formed by transverse fibers. Muscle fibers are located not only between the ends of the cartilage, but also enter the interannular spaces of the cartilaginous part of the trachea and, to a greater extent, the main bronchi. Thus, in the trachea, bundles of smooth muscles with a transverse and oblique arrangement are found only in the membranous part, i.e., there is no muscle layer as such. In the main bronchi rare groups smooth muscles are present throughout the entire circumference.
With a decrease in the diameter of the bronchi, the muscle layer becomes more developed, and its fibers run in a somewhat oblique direction. Muscle contraction causes not only a narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi, but also some shortening of them, due to which the bronchi participate in exhalation by reducing the capacity of the airways. Muscle contraction allows you to narrow the lumen of the bronchi by 1/4. When you inhale, the bronchus lengthens and expands. The muscles reach the 2nd order respiratory bronchioles.
Inward from the muscle layer is the submucosal layer, consisting of loose connective tissue. It contains vascular and nervous formations, the submucosal lymphatic network, lymphoid tissue and a significant part of the bronchial glands, which belong to the tubular-acinous type with mixed mucous-serous secretion. They consist of terminal sections and excretory ducts, which open as flask-shaped extensions on the surface of the mucous membrane. The relatively large length of the ducts contributes to the long course of bronchitis with inflammatory processes in the glands. Atrophy of the glands can lead to drying of the mucous membrane and inflammatory changes.
The largest number of large glands is present above the bifurcation of the trachea and in the area of division of the main bronchi into lobar bronchi. U healthy person up to 100 ml of secretion is released per day. It consists of 95% water, and 5% contains an equal amount of proteins, salts, lipids and inorganic substances. The secretion is dominated by mucins (high molecular weight glycoproteins). To date, there are 14 types of glycoproteins, 8 of which are found in the respiratory system.
Bronchial mucosa
The mucous membrane consists of cover epithelium, basement membrane, lamina propria and lamina muscularis mucosa.
The bronchial epithelium contains high and low basal cells, each of which is attached to the basement membrane. The thickness of the basement membrane ranges from 3.7 to 10.6 µm. The epithelium of the trachea and large bronchi is multirow, cylindrical, ciliated. The thickness of the epithelium at the level of segmental bronchi ranges from 37 to 47 microns. In its composition, there are 4 main types of cells: ciliated, goblet, intermediate and basal. In addition, serous, brush, Clara and Kulchitsky cells are found.
Ciliated cells predominate on the free surface of the epithelial layer (Romanova L.K., 1984). They have an irregular prismatic shape and an oval vesicular nucleus located in the middle part of the cell. The electron optical density of the cytoplasm is low. There are few mitochondria, the endoplasmic granular reticulum is poorly developed. Each cell bears on its surface short microvilli and about 200 ciliated cilia 0.3 µm thick and about 6 µm long. In humans, the density of cilia is 6 µm2.
Spaces are formed between neighboring cells; The cells are connected to each other by finger-shaped outgrowths of the cytoplasm and desmosomes.
The population of ciliated cells is divided into the following groups according to the degree of differentiation of their apical surface:
- Cells in the phase of formation of basal bodies and axonemes. At this time, there are no cilia on the apical surface. During this period, the accumulation of centrioles occurs, which move to the apical surface of the cells, and the formation of basal bodies, from which cilia axonemes begin to form.
- Cells in the phase of moderate ciliogenesis and cilia growth. A small number of cilia appear on the apical surface of such cells, the length of which is 1/2-2/3 of the length of the cilia of differentiated cells. In this phase, microvilli predominate on the apical surface.
- Cells in the phase of active ciliogenesis and cilia growth. The apical surface of such cells is already almost entirely covered with cilia, the sizes of which correspond to the size of the cilia of cells in the previous phase of ciliogenesis.
- Cells in the phase of completed ciliogenesis and cilia growth. The apical surface of such cells is entirely covered with densely arranged long cilia. Electron diffraction patterns show that the cilia of adjacent cells are oriented in the same direction and curved. This is an expression of mucociliary transport.
All these groups of cells are clearly visible in photographs obtained using light electron microscopy (SEM).
Cilia are attached to basal bodies located in the apical part of the cell. The cilium axoneme is formed by microtubules, of which 9 pairs (doublets) are located along the periphery, and 2 singles (singlets) are located in the center. Doublets and singlets are connected by nexin fibrils. On each of the doublets, on one side there are 2 short “handles” that contain ATPase, which is involved in the release of ATP energy. Thanks to this structure, the cilia rhythmically oscillate with a frequency of 16-17 in the direction of the nasopharynx.
They move the mucous film covering the epithelium at a speed of about 6 mm/min, thereby ensuring continuous drainage function of the bronchus.
Ciliated epithelial cells, according to most researchers, are at the stage of final differentiation and are not capable of dividing by mitosis. According to modern concept, basal cells are the precursors of intermediate cells that can differentiate into ciliated cells.
Goblet cells, like ciliated cells, reach the free surface of the epithelial layer. In the membranous part of the trachea and large bronchi, the share of ciliated cells accounts for up to 70-80%, and the share of goblet cells - no more than 20-30%. In those places where there are cartilaginous semirings along the perimeter of the trachea and bronchi, zones with different ratios of ciliated and goblet cells are found:
- with a predominance of ciliated cells;
- with an almost equal ratio of ciliated and secretory cells;
- with a predominance of secretory cells;
- with full or almost complete absence ciliated cells (“unciliated”).
Goblet cells are single-celled glands of the merocrine type that secrete a mucous secretion. The shape of the cell and the location of the nucleus depend on the phase of secretion and the filling of the supranuclear part with mucus granules, which merge into larger granules and are characterized by low electron density. Goblet cells have an elongated shape, which, during the accumulation of secretions, takes the form of a glass with a base located on the basement membrane and intimately connected with it. The wide end of the cell protrudes dome-shaped on the free surface and is equipped with microvilli. The cytoplasm is electron-dense, the nucleus is round, the endoplasmic reticulum is of a rough type, well developed.
Goblet cells are unevenly distributed. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that different zones The epithelial layer contains heterogeneous areas consisting either only of ciliated epithelial cells or only of secretory cells. However, continuous accumulations of goblet cells are relatively few in number. Along the perimeter of a section of the segmental bronchus of a healthy person there are areas where the ratio of ciliated epithelial cells to goblet cells is 4:1-7:1, and in other areas this ratio is 1:1.
The number of goblet cells decreases distally in the bronchi. In the bronchioles, goblet cells are replaced by Clara cells, which are involved in the production of serous components of mucus and alveolar hypophase.
In small bronchi and bronchioles, goblet cells are normally absent, but may appear in pathology.
In 1986, Czech scientists studied the reaction of the epithelium of the airways of rabbits to the oral administration of various mucolytic substances. It turned out that the target cells of mucolytics are goblet cells. After mucus is cleared, goblet cells typically degenerate and are gradually removed from the epithelium. The degree of damage to goblet cells depends on the substance administered: lasolvan has the greatest irritant effect. After administration of broncholysin and bromhexine, massive differentiation of new goblet cells occurs in the epithelium of the airways, resulting in goblet cell hyperplasia.
Basal and intermediate cells are located deep in the epithelial layer and do not reach the free surface. These are the least differentiated cellular forms, due to which physiological regeneration is mainly carried out. The shape of the intermediate cells is elongated, the basal cells are irregularly cubic. Both have a round, DNA-rich nucleus and a small amount of cytoplasm, which has a high density in the basal cells.
Basal cells are capable of giving rise to both ciliated and goblet cells.
Secretory and ciliated cells are combined under the name “mucociliary apparatus”.
The process of mucus movement airways lungs is called mucociliary clearance. The functional effectiveness of MCC depends on the frequency and synchronicity of the movement of the cilia of the ciliated epithelium, and also, very importantly, on the characteristics and rheological properties of the mucus, i.e., on the normal secretory ability of goblet cells.
Serous cells are few in number, reach the free surface of the epithelium and are distinguished by small electron-dense granules of protein secretion. The cytoplasm is also electron dense. Mitochondria and rough reticulum are well developed. The nucleus is round, usually located in the middle part of the cell.
Secretory cells, or Clara cells, are most numerous in the small bronchi and bronchioles. They, like serous ones, contain small electron-dense granules, but are distinguished by low electron density of the cytoplasm and the predominance of smooth, endoplasmic reticulum. The rounded nucleus is located in the middle part of the cell. Clara cells are involved in the formation of phospholipids and possibly in the production of surfactant. Under conditions of increased irritation, they apparently can turn into goblet cells.
Brush cells bear microvilli on their free surface, but lack cilia. Their cytoplasm has low electron density, the nucleus is oval and vesicular. In the manual of Ham A. and Cormack D. (1982), they are considered as goblet cells that have released their secretion. They are attributed many functions: absorption, contractile, secretory, chemoreceptor. However, they have practically not been studied in the human airways.
Kulchitsky cells are found throughout the bronchial tree at the base of the epithelial layer, differing from the basal ones in the low electron density of the cytoplasm and the presence of small granules that are detected under electron microscope and under light during impregnation with silver. They are classified as neurosecretory cells of the APUD system.
Under the epithelium there is a basement membrane, which consists of collagenous and non-collagenous glycoproteins; it provides support and attachment of the epithelium, participates in metabolism and immunological reactions. The condition of the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue determines the structure and function of the epithelium. The lamina propria is the layer of loose connective tissue between the basement membrane and the muscle layer. It contains fibroblasts, collagen and elastic fibers. The lamina propria contains blood and lymphatic vessels. The capillaries reach the basement membrane but do not penetrate it.
In the mucous membrane of the trachea and bronchi, mainly in the lamina propria and near the glands, free cells are constantly present in the submucosa, which can penetrate through the epithelium into the lumen. Lymphocytes predominate among them; plasma cells, histiocytes, and mast cells(labrocytes), neutrophilic and eosinophilic leukocytes. The constant presence of lymphoid cells in the bronchial mucosa is designated by the special term “broncho-associated lymphoid tissue” (BALT) and is considered as an immunological protective reaction to antigens penetrating into the respiratory tract with air.
Structure of the bronchi
Bronchi (which in Greek means breathing tubes) represent the peripheral part of the respiratory tract, through which atmospheric - oxygen-rich - air enters the lungs, and waste, oxygen-poor and carbon dioxide-rich air, which is no longer suitable for breathing, is removed from the lungs.
In the lungs, gas exchange occurs between air and blood; Oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide is removed from the blood. Thanks to this, the vital functions of the body are maintained. But the bronchi do not just conduct air into the lungs, they change its composition, humidity, and temperature. Passing through the bronchi (and other respiratory tract- nasal cavity, larynx, trachea), the air is heated or cooled to the temperature of the human body, moistened, freed from dust, germs, etc., which protects the lungs from harmful influences.
Implementation of these complex functions provided by the structure of the bronchi. 2 main bronchi depart from the trachea large diameter(on average 14-18 mm) to the right and left lung. From them, in turn, smaller ones depart - lobar bronchi: 3 on the right and 2 on the left.
The lobar bronchi are divided into segmental bronchi (10 on the left and right), and those, gradually decreasing in diameter, into bronchi of the fourth and fifth order, which pass into bronchioles. This division of the bronchi leads to the fact that not a single functional unit of the lungs (acinus) is left without its own bronchiole, through which air enters it, and all lung tissue may be involved in respiration.
The totality of all the bronchi is sometimes called the bronchial tree, since, dividing and decreasing in diameter, they closely resemble a tree.
The wall of the bronchi has complex structure, and the wall of the large bronchi is the most complex. There are 3 main layers in it: 1) outer (fibrosiocartilaginous); 2) medium (muscular); 3) internal (mucous membrane).
The fibrocartilaginous layer is formed cartilage tissue, collagen and elastic fibers, bundles of smooth muscles. Thanks to this layer, the elasticity of the bronchi is ensured and they do not collapse. With a decrease in the diameter of the bronchi, this layer becomes thinner and gradually disappears.
The muscle layer consists of smooth muscle fibers, combined into circular and oblique beams; when they contract, the lumen of the airway changes. With a decrease in the caliber of the bronchus, the muscle layer becomes more developed.
The mucous membrane is very complex and plays an important role. It consists of connective tissue, muscle fibers, and is penetrated by a large number of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. It is covered with columnar epithelium, equipped with ciliated cilia, and a thin layer of serous-mucosal secretion to protect the epithelium from damage. Thanks to this structure, it plays a certain protective role.
The cilia of the columnar epithelium are capable of capturing the smallest foreign bodies(dust, soot) trapped with air in the bronchi. When settling on the mucous membrane of the bronchi, dust particles cause irritation, which leads to copious discharge mucus and the appearance cough reflex. Thanks to this, they, along with mucus, are removed from the bronchi to the outside. This protects the lung tissue from damage. Thus, a cough in a healthy person plays a protective role, protecting the lungs from the penetration of the smallest foreign particles.
With a decrease in the diameter of the bronchi, the mucous membrane becomes thinner and the multirow columnar epithelium turns into single row cubic epithelium. It should be noted that the mucous membrane contains goblet cells that secrete mucus, which plays an important role in protecting the bronchi from damage.
Mucus (of which up to 100 ml is formed in a person during the day) also performs another important function. It humidifies the air entering the body (the humidity of the atmospheric air is slightly lower than in the lungs), thereby protecting the lungs from drying out.
The role of the bronchi in the body
As the air passes through the upper respiratory tract, it changes its temperature. As you know, the temperature of the air surrounding a person fluctuates depending on the time of year within quite significant limits: from -60-70° to +50-60°. Contact of such air with the lungs would inevitably cause damage. However, the air passing through the upper respiratory tract is heated or cooled depending on need.
The bronchi play a major role in this, since their wall is abundantly supplied with blood, which ensures good heat exchange between blood and air. In addition, the bronchi, dividing, increase the surface of contact between the mucous membrane and air, which also contributes to rapid change air temperature.
The bronchi protect the body from the penetration of various microorganisms (of which there are quite a lot in the atmospheric air) due to the presence of villi, the secretion of mucus, which contains antibodies, phagocytes (cells that devour microbes), etc.
Thus, the bronchi in the human body are an important and specific organ that ensures the passage of air into the lungs, while protecting them from various external irritants.
Conductor defense mechanisms bronchi is nervous system, which mobilizes and controls all the body’s defense mechanisms (humoral, immunobiological, endocrine, etc.). However, if the protective mechanisms of the bronchi are disrupted, they lose the ability to fully resist the effects of various harmful factors. This leads to the appearance in the bronchi pathological process- bronchitis develops.
Related materials:
There are no similar materials...
Everyone needs to know where the bronchi are located. This will help if therapy or diagnosis is needed. In addition, the bronchi are a vital organ, without normal operation which a person will not live long. Human anatomy is both an interesting and complex field of science that you need to know everything about.
The bronchi are a paired organ that is a natural extension of the trachea. At the level of the fourth (in males) and fifth (in females) vertebrae, the tracheal region divides, forming two tubes. Each of them is directed to the lungs. After being introduced into the pulmonary region, they are divided again: into three and two branches, respectively, the right and left parts.
The presented arrangement corresponds parts of the lung, repeating his drawing. It should be noted that:
- the location where a person’s lungs are located has a direct impact on their shape;
- if a person’s chest is narrow and long, then the epithelium and lungs will take the indicated shape;
- The presented organs of the human type are characterized by a short and wide appearance with a conjugate shape of the chest, which determines the functions of the bronchi.
Structure of the bronchial region
All bronchial lobes are divided into fragments of the bronchopulmonary type. They are segments of an organ that are isolated from similar neighboring areas. In each of the presented areas there is a segmental bronchus. There are 18 similar segments: 10 on the right and 8 on the left, as confirmed by the drawing.
The structure of each of the presented segments has several lobules, or areas within which the division of the lobular bronchus occurs, which are located on top.
Pulmonologists claim that a person has at least 1600 lobules: 800 each on the right and left sides.
The similarity in the placement of the bronchial and pulmonary regions does not end there. The former, like the epithelium, branch further, forming bronchioles of the secondary and tertiary order. They give rise to alveolar-type ducts, which divide 1 to 4 times and end in alveolar sacs. The alveoli open into their lumen, which is why human anatomy is logical. It is this that predetermines the functional significance of the organ represented.
Functional Features
The function of the bronchi is multifaceted - it is the conduction of air masses through the respiratory system during inhalation and exhalation, protective and drainage functions. Due to the last two, foreign bodies that got inside with air masses come out of the respiratory system on their own. Thus, human anatomy removes harmful microorganisms.
The epithelium of the bronchial region includes goblet-type cells that contain mucus. Foreign bodies and objects stick to it, and the ciliated part of the epithelium sets the mucus in motion and helps remove the object out. The presented process provokes a cough in a person, which does not always manifest itself with bronchitis. The functional significance of the bronchi may lie in other actions:
How to keep your bronchi healthy
The structure of the bronchi must remain complete, without defects or foreign complications. This will help maintain ideal bronchial health. For this purpose they use medicines(bronchodilators, mucolytics and expectorants), resort to special diet and management healthy image life. The latter excludes the use of alcoholic beverages and nicotine addiction.
Shown high physical activity, that is, daily hiking, hardening, charging.
All this will strengthen the body, which cannot be achieved without constant effort.
Another condition for bronchial health is the implementation breathing exercises and visiting sanatoriums. They strengthen the immune system, optimize the functioning of the pulmonary system, which has a positive effect on the structure of the bronchi and, accordingly, the respiratory process. In this case, the epithelium and respiratory pattern will not be subject to complications in terms of general condition.
Additional Information
Failure to comply with medical recommendations and maintaining an unhealthy lifestyle provoke the formation of bronchial diseases. The most common are bronchitis, which is caused by inflammation of the bronchial walls. Pathology is formed under the influence of viruses and bacteria, some of which are needed by the body in minimal quantities.
Another complication is bronchial asthma, which is characterized by attacks of asphyxia that form in a clear cycle. Allergenic effects, air pollution, and all kinds of infections can become a catalyst for this. To others negative processes applies:
- bronchial tuberculosis, accompanied by a forced cough with the removal of a significant proportion of sputum and aggravated breathing;
- candidiasis, which forms when the protective functions of the body are weakened, when the epithelium is weakened, forming an unclear pattern;
- an oncological disease in which the human anatomy changes and the pathology is accompanied persistent cough with the release of light pink sputum and swelling.
Thus, in order for the bronchi to remain absolutely healthy, you need to know everything about their location, division into certain parts and the nuances of maintaining health. This will allow you to maintain maximum activity, improve the health of your bronchi and lungs, giving you the opportunity to live life to the fullest.
Loading...