Browsing: Lungs

The lungs are a pair of vital organs in the respiratory system responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air we breathe and the bloodstream. Located in the chest and protected by the ribcage, the lungs are composed of branching airways that end in tiny air sacs called alveoli, where gas exchange takes place. Every breath brings oxygen into the alveoli, where it diffuses into the blood, while carbon dioxide—a waste product of metabolism—is expelled from the blood and exhaled. Beyond breathing, the lungs also play roles in regulating blood pH, filtering small clots, and supporting immune defense.