The lungs are the organs in the chest involved in breathing. The
lungs are surrounded and protected by the rib cage. The lung on the left side
of the body is a little smaller than the lung on the right.
The lungs transfer oxygen from the air to the bloodstream and remove
carbon dioxide (a waste material) from the blood. When you breathe in, oxygen
moves out of the air sacs of the lungs into the blood vessels. At the same
time, carbon dioxide moves out of your blood and into the air sacs. You remove
the carbon dioxide from your lungs when you breathe out. This process is called
respiration.
ByHealthwise Staff Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Specialist Medical ReviewerElizabeth T. Russo, MD - Internal Medicine
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