2.1_ General Anatomy of the Respiratory System_ Essential Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab- K

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enter each lung (Figure 2.2) . Healthy lung tissue has a very light texture and is
peachy/pink in color.
Figure 2.1 Anterior view: Gross anatomy of lungs. The right lung has three lobes
(superior, middle, inferior) while the left lung has two lobes (superior, inferior). The
right and left lung both have oblique fissures separating the lobes. The right lung
also has a horizontal fissure separating the superior and middle lobes.

8/20/2020 2.1: General Anatomy of the Respiratory System: Essential Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab- Keck
Figure 2.2 View of Hilum (root) of right lung. The hilum (highlighted in blue) is
where the pulmonary vessels and bronchi enter through each lung.
The pleurae are membranes that cover the surface of the lung and the cavity
surrounding the lungs. The visceral pleura directly covers the lungs, and the
parietal pleura covers the surfaces surrounding the lungs: the rib cage, diaphragm,
and mediastinum. The space that is formed between the pleurae is called the
pleural space or cavity. Normally, this space is empty except for a scant amount of
fluid. However, in the diseased state, this cavity can fill with air or fluids. The pleurae
reduce friction and provide a negative pressure environment needed for lung
inflation. The pleurae also help to pull the lungs open with the chest wall during
inhalation.
The anatomical organization of the respiratory system allows the respiratory system
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of gases. This third step is also called respiration . The respiratory system also has