Learn about the following ways the NHLBI continues to translate current research to prevent and treat lung problems. Learn about some of the pioneering research contributions we have made over the years that have improved clinical care. In support of our mission , we are committed to advancing lung research in part through the following ways.
We lead or sponsor studies on the lungs. See if you or someone you know is eligible to participate in a clinical trials. To learn more about clinical trials at the NIH Clinical Center or to talk to someone about a study that might fit your needs, call the Office of Patient Recruitment Learn more about participating in a clinical trial. View all trials from ClinicalTrials.
After reading our How the Lungs Work Health Topic, you may be interested in additional information found in the following resources. This Symposium will highlight important scientific advances in pulmonary health and disease since the creation of t How the Lungs Work. Also known as Respiratory System. Read more. The pleura Cross-section of lungs to show the pleura. The main image shows the location of the lungs, pleura, and diaphragm.
The inset image shows a closer view of the two layers of the pleura and the pleural space. Read less. The muscles used for breathing The lungs are like sponges; they cannot expand get bigger on their own.
The breathing muscles include the: Diaphragm, which is a dome-shaped muscle below your lungs. It separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. The diaphragm is the main muscle used for breathing. The muscles between your ribs, called intercostal muscles, play a role in breathing during physical activity.
Abdominal muscles help you breathe out when you are breathing fast, such as during physical activity. Muscles of the face, mouth, and pharynx. The pharynx is the part of the throat right behind the mouth.
These muscles control the lips, tongue, soft palate, and other structures to help with breathing. Problems with these muscles can narrow the airway, make it more difficult to breathe, and contribute to sleep apnea. Muscles in the neck and collarbone area help you breathe in. Cross-section of lungs to show the diaphragm. The nervous system Your breathing usually does not require any thought, because it is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, also called the involuntary nervous system.
The parasympathetic system slows your breathing rate. It causes your bronchial tubes to narrow and the pulmonary blood vessels to widen. The sympathetic system increases your breathing rate. It makes your bronchial tubes widen and the pulmonary blood vessels narrow. Sensors in the airways detect lung irritants. The sensors can trigger sneezing or coughing.
In people who have asthma, the sensors may cause the muscles around the airways in the lungs to contract. This makes the airways smaller. Sensors in the brain and near blood vessels detect carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in your blood. Sensors in your joints and muscles detect the movement of your arms or legs.
These sensors may play a role in increasing your breathing rate when you are physically active. Breathing in When you breathe in, or inhale, your diaphragm contracts and moves downward. Gas exchange. You can take these steps to help protect your lungs from injury or disease: Quit smoking , or not starting if you do not smoke. Although these resources focus on heart health, they include basic information about how to quit smoking.
Avoid secondhand tobacco smoke by staying away from places where smoking is allowed. Ask friends and family members who smoke not to do it in the house or car. Aim for a healthy weight. Unhealthy eating patterns and lack of physical activity can lead to overweight and obesity, which can result in sleep apnea. Research has shown that losing weight can reduce sleep apnea in people who have also been diagnosed with obesity.
Be physically active. By being physically active, you can help strengthen your heart and lungs so they work more efficiently. Physical activity may also reduce your risk of lung injury or disease.
Our Move More Fact Sheet includes basic information about physical activity. Before starting any exercise program, ask your doctor what level of physical activity is right for you. Limit exposure to outdoor air pollution by checking the Air Quality Index before taking part in outdoor activities and avoiding heavy traffic when possible. Reduce indoor air pollution by making sure that the places where you live and work are well ventilated and cleaned regularly to prevent the buildup of allergens, dust, and mold.
You can also remove products that create fumes, such as strong cleaning products and aerosols. Avoid burning solid fuels such as wood for heating and cooking. For example, breathing in cigarette smoke can cause an asthma attack or a COPD flare-up.
Author: Healthwise Staff. Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Important Phone Numbers. Topic Contents What do your lungs do?
What problems can happen in your lungs? How can you prevent lung problems? Where can you learn more? Top of the page. The trachea, or windpipe, is the continuation of the airway below the larynx. The walls of the trachea pronounced: TRAY-kee-uh are strengthened by stiff rings of cartilage to keep it open. The trachea is also lined with cilia, which sweep fluids and foreign particles out of the airway so that they stay out of the lungs.
At its bottom end, the trachea divides into left and right air tubes called bronchi pronounced: BRAHN-kye , which connect to the lungs. Within the lungs, the bronchi branch into smaller bronchi and even smaller tubes called bronchioles pronounced: BRAHN-kee-olz.
Bronchioles end in tiny air sacs called alveoli, where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide actually takes place. Each person has hundreds of millions of alveoli in their lungs. This network of alveoli, bronchioles, and bronchi is known as the bronchial tree.
The lungs also contain elastic tissues that allow them to inflate and deflate without losing shape. They're covered by a thin lining called the pleura pronounced: PLUR-uh. The chest cavity, or thorax pronounced: THOR-aks , is the airtight box that houses the bronchial tree, lungs, heart, and other structures. Your lungs bring fresh oxygen into your body. They remove the carbon dioxide and other waste gases that your body's doesn't need. To breathe in inhale , you use the muscles of your rib cage — especially the major muscle, the diaphragm.
Your diaphragm tightens and flattens, allowing you to suck air into your lungs. To breathe out exhale , your diaphragm and rib cage muscles relax.
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