Breathing

You breathe every day, all day for your entire life.  It is a bodily function that you may take for granted, unless of course you run into difficulties.

What do you know about these intricate organs that take care of a basic bodily function?

You are probably aware that your lungs are part of your respiratory system and that you have two of them on each side of your chest or thorax.

Your right lung has three lobes which are shorter and wider.

Your left lung has two lobes and is smaller with a special cardiac notch to fit your heart.

Lungs are responsible for making oxygen for your body and removing gases like carbon dioxide.

Now for some interesting details about how you (we) breathe:

Healthy lungs are pinkish-gray in color.

Inhaling and exhaling takes place 12-20 times per minute.

Your bronchial tubes end in small air sacs called alveoli.  These alveoli look like clusters of small round fruits.

The average adult has between 300 and 500 million alveoli.

Small hairs in your nose help keep out large particles.  They are the first line of cleaning for your lungs.

The lungs are the only organ in your body that floats.

You can live with only one lung or minus some of your lobes.

Private Home Health Care likes to breathe in fresh air every day and we are happy to share a bit about the role they play in our lives.