{"id":30,"date":"2026-08-03T11:52:34","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T11:52:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/?p=30"},"modified":"2026-09-20T18:08:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T18:08:14","slug":"how-do-the-lungs-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/rs\/how-do-the-lungs-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do the Lungs Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id30_af1cb3-70 .kb-table-of-content-wrap{padding-top:24px;padding-right:24px;padding-bottom:24px;padding-left:24px;background-color:#d7e5f6;border-top:1px solid #bed5f0;border-right:1px solid #bed5f0;border-bottom:1px solid #bed5f0;border-left:1px solid #bed5f0;border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id30_af1cb3-70 .kb-table-of-contents-title-wrap{padding-right:10px;padding-left:20px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id30_af1cb3-70 .kb-table-of-contents-title-wrap{color:#245fb8;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id30_af1cb3-70 .kb-table-of-contents-title{color:#245fb8;font-size:20px;font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id30_af1cb3-70 .kb-table-of-content-wrap .kb-table-of-content-list{font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;margin-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id30_af1cb3-70 .kb-toggle-icon-style-basiccircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:after, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id30_af1cb3-70 .kb-toggle-icon-style-basiccircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:before, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id30_af1cb3-70 .kb-toggle-icon-style-arrowcircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:after, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id30_af1cb3-70 .kb-toggle-icon-style-arrowcircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:before, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id30_af1cb3-70 .kb-toggle-icon-style-xclosecircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:after, .kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id30_af1cb3-70 .kb-toggle-icon-style-xclosecircle .kb-table-of-contents-icon-trigger:before{background-color:#d7e5f6;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id30_af1cb3-70 .kb-table-of-content-wrap{border-top:1px solid #bed5f0;border-right:1px solid #bed5f0;border-bottom:1px solid #bed5f0;border-left:1px solid #bed5f0;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id30_af1cb3-70 .kb-table-of-content-wrap{border-top:1px solid #bed5f0;border-right:1px solid #bed5f0;border-bottom:1px solid #bed5f0;border-left:1px solid #bed5f0;}}<\/style>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4fc3f8e1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px\">Every breath we take is part of a remarkable process that keeps the body alive. The lungs bring oxygen into the body, remove carbon dioxide from the bloodstream, and work together with the heart, blood vessels, muscles, and nervous system to maintain a constant supply of oxygen to our tissues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px\">But how exactly do the lungs work?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px\">From the moment air enters the nose or mouth until oxygen reaches the bloodstream, several structures work together in a precisely coordinated process. In this guide, we will explore the anatomy of the lungs, how breathing works, how oxygen enters the blood, and how carbon dioxide is removed from the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"720\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1280 \/ 720;\" width=\"1280\" autoplay controls muted src=\"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/How-Do-the-Lungs-Work.mp4\" playsinline><\/video><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group medatlas-h2 is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4636a994 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-color:#245fb8;border-bottom-width:1px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px\"><style>.kt-svg-icons30_d730f1-28 .kt-svg-item-0 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:var(--global-palette4, #2D3748);font-size:50px;}.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons30_d730f1-28{justify-content:center;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-icon kt-svg-icons kt-svg-icons30_d730f1-28 alignnone\"><style>.kt-svg-item-30_3ed4ad-c0 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-30_3ed4ad-c0 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#1167d8;font-size:40px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-30_3ed4ad-c0\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_stethoscope\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M447.1 112c-34.2.5-62.3 28.4-63 62.6-.5 24.3 12.5 45.6 32 56.8V344c0 57.3-50.2 104-112 104-60 0-109.2-44.1-111.9-99.2C265 333.8 320 269.2 320 192V36.6c0-11.4-8.1-21.3-19.3-23.5L237.8.5c-13-2.6-25.6 5.8-28.2 18.8L206.4 35c-2.6 13 5.8 25.6 18.8 28.2l30.7 6.1v121.4c0 52.9-42.2 96.7-95.1 97.2-53.4.5-96.9-42.7-96.9-96V69.4l30.7-6.1c13-2.6 21.4-15.2 18.8-28.2l-3.1-15.7C107.7 6.4 95.1-2 82.1.6L19.3 13C8.1 15.3 0 25.1 0 36.6V192c0 77.3 55.1 142 128.1 156.8C130.7 439.2 208.6 512 304 512c97 0 176-75.4 176-168V231.4c19.1-11.1 32-31.7 32-55.4 0-35.7-29.2-64.5-64.9-64zm.9 80c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16s7.2-16 16-16 16 7.2 16 16-7.2 16-16 16z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:258px;border-top-right-radius:258px;border-bottom-left-radius:258px;border-bottom-right-radius:258px;color:#245fb8\"><strong>Why Do We Need Lungs?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4fc3f8e1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lungs are the main organs of the respiratory system. Their most important function is gas exchange: bringing oxygen from the air into the bloodstream and removing carbon dioxide from the blood so it can be exhaled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oxygen is essential for the cells of the body because it is used to produce energy. As cells use oxygen, they produce carbon dioxide as a waste product. If carbon dioxide accumulates and oxygen cannot be supplied adequately, normal cellular function becomes impaired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Breathing may feel automatic and effortless, but it depends on the coordinated activity of the respiratory muscles, airways, lungs, blood vessels, and nervous system.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group medatlas-h2 is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4636a994 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-color:#245fb8;border-bottom-width:1px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px\"><style>.kt-svg-icons30_2cf953-15 .kt-svg-item-0 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:var(--global-palette4, #2D3748);font-size:50px;}.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons30_2cf953-15{justify-content:center;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-icon kt-svg-icons kt-svg-icons30_2cf953-15 alignnone\"><style>.kt-svg-item-30_238620-12 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-30_238620-12 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#1167d8;font-size:40px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-30_238620-12\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_stethoscope\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M447.1 112c-34.2.5-62.3 28.4-63 62.6-.5 24.3 12.5 45.6 32 56.8V344c0 57.3-50.2 104-112 104-60 0-109.2-44.1-111.9-99.2C265 333.8 320 269.2 320 192V36.6c0-11.4-8.1-21.3-19.3-23.5L237.8.5c-13-2.6-25.6 5.8-28.2 18.8L206.4 35c-2.6 13 5.8 25.6 18.8 28.2l30.7 6.1v121.4c0 52.9-42.2 96.7-95.1 97.2-53.4.5-96.9-42.7-96.9-96V69.4l30.7-6.1c13-2.6 21.4-15.2 18.8-28.2l-3.1-15.7C107.7 6.4 95.1-2 82.1.6L19.3 13C8.1 15.3 0 25.1 0 36.6V192c0 77.3 55.1 142 128.1 156.8C130.7 439.2 208.6 512 304 512c97 0 176-75.4 176-168V231.4c19.1-11.1 32-31.7 32-55.4 0-35.7-29.2-64.5-64.9-64zm.9 80c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16s7.2-16 16-16 16 7.2 16 16-7.2 16-16 16z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:225px;border-top-right-radius:225px;border-bottom-left-radius:225px;border-bottom-right-radius:225px;color:#245fb8\"><strong>Where Are the Lungs Located?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4fc3f8e1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lungs are located inside the chest, or thoracic cavity, on either side of the heart. They are protected by the rib cage and covered by a thin, double-layered membrane called the pleura.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The right lung has three lobes, while the left lung has two lobes. The left lung is slightly smaller because the heart occupies part of the space on the left side of the chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lungs sit above the diaphragm, a large dome-shaped muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. The diaphragm is the primary muscle involved in normal breathing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group medatlas-h2 is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4636a994 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-color:#245fb8;border-bottom-width:1px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px\"><style>.kt-svg-icons30_0b599f-a6 .kt-svg-item-0 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:var(--global-palette4, #2D3748);font-size:50px;}.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons30_0b599f-a6{justify-content:center;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-icon kt-svg-icons kt-svg-icons30_0b599f-a6 alignnone\"><style>.kt-svg-item-30_d2ef1b-27 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-30_d2ef1b-27 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#1167d8;font-size:40px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-30_d2ef1b-27\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_stethoscope\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M447.1 112c-34.2.5-62.3 28.4-63 62.6-.5 24.3 12.5 45.6 32 56.8V344c0 57.3-50.2 104-112 104-60 0-109.2-44.1-111.9-99.2C265 333.8 320 269.2 320 192V36.6c0-11.4-8.1-21.3-19.3-23.5L237.8.5c-13-2.6-25.6 5.8-28.2 18.8L206.4 35c-2.6 13 5.8 25.6 18.8 28.2l30.7 6.1v121.4c0 52.9-42.2 96.7-95.1 97.2-53.4.5-96.9-42.7-96.9-96V69.4l30.7-6.1c13-2.6 21.4-15.2 18.8-28.2l-3.1-15.7C107.7 6.4 95.1-2 82.1.6L19.3 13C8.1 15.3 0 25.1 0 36.6V192c0 77.3 55.1 142 128.1 156.8C130.7 439.2 208.6 512 304 512c97 0 176-75.4 176-168V231.4c19.1-11.1 32-31.7 32-55.4 0-35.7-29.2-64.5-64.9-64zm.9 80c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16s7.2-16 16-16 16 7.2 16 16-7.2 16-16 16z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:186px;border-top-right-radius:186px;border-bottom-left-radius:186px;border-bottom-right-radius:186px;color:#245fb8\">The Anatomy of the Lungs<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The respiratory system can be thought of as a branching network of airways that becomes progressively smaller as it travels deeper into the lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color\" style=\"border-color:#e5eef8;border-width:2px;border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:15px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-01ee4df7 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The basic pathway of inhaled air is: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-border-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-4 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"border-color:#245fb8;border-width:1px;border-top-left-radius:20px;border-top-right-radius:20px;border-bottom-left-radius:20px;border-bottom-right-radius:20px;color:#245fb8;background-color:#f4f9ff;padding-top:10px;padding-right:27px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:27px\"><strong>Nose or mouth \u2192 pharynx \u2192 larynx \u2192 trachea \u2192 bronchi \u2192 bronchioles \u2192 alveoli<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group medatlas-factor-list is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4fc3f8e1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-c952fd1d wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-color:#e5eef8;border-width:2px;border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5\" style=\"color:#1e73be\">The Trachea<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The trachea, commonly called the windpipe, is the main airway connecting the upper respiratory tract with the lungs. It is supported by cartilage that helps keep the airway open.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-c952fd1d wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-color:#e5eef8;border-width:2px;border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6\" style=\"color:#1e73be\">The Bronchi<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At its lower end, the trachea divides into two main airways called the <strong>right and left main bronchi<\/strong>. Each bronchus carries air toward one lung.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Inside the lungs, the bronchi continue to branch into smaller airways.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-c952fd1d wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-color:#e5eef8;border-width:2px;border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7\" style=\"color:#1e73be\">The Bronchioles<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The smaller branches are called bronchioles. They distribute air throughout the lungs and eventually lead toward the respiratory structures where gas exchange occurs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-c952fd1d wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-color:#e5eef8;border-width:2px;border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8\" style=\"color:#1e73be\">The Alveoli<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the end of the smallest respiratory airways are millions of microscopic air sacs called <strong>alveole<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The alveoli are the primary site of gas exchange. Each alveolus is surrounded by a network of tiny blood vessels called <strong>capillaries<\/strong>, creating a very close connection between inhaled air and <a href=\"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/rs\/how-blood-circulates-through-your-body\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/how-blood-circulates-through-your-body\/\">circulating blood<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" style=\"margin-top:10px;margin-right:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:10px\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/breathing-ilustration-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-156\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/breathing-ilustration-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/breathing-ilustration-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/breathing-ilustration-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/breathing-ilustration.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>The respiratory system moves air from the nose and mouth through the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles to the alveoli, where oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide is removed.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group medatlas-h2 is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4636a994 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-color:#245fb8;border-bottom-width:1px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px\"><style>.kt-svg-icons30_bbb129-f0 .kt-svg-item-0 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:var(--global-palette4, #2D3748);font-size:50px;}.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons30_bbb129-f0{justify-content:center;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-icon kt-svg-icons kt-svg-icons30_bbb129-f0 alignnone\"><style>.kt-svg-item-30_bae61e-67 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-30_bae61e-67 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#1167d8;font-size:40px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-30_bae61e-67\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_stethoscope\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M447.1 112c-34.2.5-62.3 28.4-63 62.6-.5 24.3 12.5 45.6 32 56.8V344c0 57.3-50.2 104-112 104-60 0-109.2-44.1-111.9-99.2C265 333.8 320 269.2 320 192V36.6c0-11.4-8.1-21.3-19.3-23.5L237.8.5c-13-2.6-25.6 5.8-28.2 18.8L206.4 35c-2.6 13 5.8 25.6 18.8 28.2l30.7 6.1v121.4c0 52.9-42.2 96.7-95.1 97.2-53.4.5-96.9-42.7-96.9-96V69.4l30.7-6.1c13-2.6 21.4-15.2 18.8-28.2l-3.1-15.7C107.7 6.4 95.1-2 82.1.6L19.3 13C8.1 15.3 0 25.1 0 36.6V192c0 77.3 55.1 142 128.1 156.8C130.7 439.2 208.6 512 304 512c97 0 176-75.4 176-168V231.4c19.1-11.1 32-31.7 32-55.4 0-35.7-29.2-64.5-64.9-64zm.9 80c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16s7.2-16 16-16 16 7.2 16 16-7.2 16-16 16z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:183px;border-top-right-radius:183px;border-bottom-left-radius:183px;border-bottom-right-radius:183px;color:#245fb8\"><strong>How Does Breathing Work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Breathing consists of two basic phases: inhalation and exhalation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7b0ba1f2 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-color:#e5eef8;border-width:1px;border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;padding-top:5px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:5px;padding-left:15px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group medatlas-h2 is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4636a994 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-color:#245fb8;border-bottom-width:1px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px\"><style>.kt-svg-icons30_b70de5-d6 .kt-svg-item-0 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:var(--global-palette4, #2D3748);font-size:50px;}.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons30_b70de5-d6{justify-content:center;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-icon kt-svg-icons kt-svg-icons30_b70de5-d6 alignnone\"><style>.kt-svg-item-30_2186a1-60 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-30_2186a1-60 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#1167d8;font-size:40px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-30_2186a1-60\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_stethoscope\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M447.1 112c-34.2.5-62.3 28.4-63 62.6-.5 24.3 12.5 45.6 32 56.8V344c0 57.3-50.2 104-112 104-60 0-109.2-44.1-111.9-99.2C265 333.8 320 269.2 320 192V36.6c0-11.4-8.1-21.3-19.3-23.5L237.8.5c-13-2.6-25.6 5.8-28.2 18.8L206.4 35c-2.6 13 5.8 25.6 18.8 28.2l30.7 6.1v121.4c0 52.9-42.2 96.7-95.1 97.2-53.4.5-96.9-42.7-96.9-96V69.4l30.7-6.1c13-2.6 21.4-15.2 18.8-28.2l-3.1-15.7C107.7 6.4 95.1-2 82.1.6L19.3 13C8.1 15.3 0 25.1 0 36.6V192c0 77.3 55.1 142 128.1 156.8C130.7 439.2 208.6 512 304 512c97 0 176-75.4 176-168V231.4c19.1-11.1 32-31.7 32-55.4 0-35.7-29.2-64.5-64.9-64zm.9 80c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16s7.2-16 16-16 16 7.2 16 16-7.2 16-16 16z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-10\" style=\"color:#245fb8\"><strong>Inhalation: Breathing In<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you inhale, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward. At the same time, the muscles between the ribs help expand the chest cavity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the volume of the chest cavity increases, the lungs expand and air flows into them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The air travels through the airways and eventually reaches the alveoli.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7b0ba1f2 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-color:#e5eef8;border-width:1px;border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;padding-top:5px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:5px;padding-left:15px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4fc3f8e1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group medatlas-h2 is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4636a994 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-color:#245fb8;border-bottom-width:1px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px\"><style>.kt-svg-icons30_ac0293-da .kt-svg-item-0 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:var(--global-palette4, #2D3748);font-size:50px;}.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons30_ac0293-da{justify-content:center;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-icon kt-svg-icons kt-svg-icons30_ac0293-da alignnone\"><style>.kt-svg-item-30_b55c52-71 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-30_b55c52-71 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#1167d8;font-size:40px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-30_b55c52-71\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_stethoscope\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M447.1 112c-34.2.5-62.3 28.4-63 62.6-.5 24.3 12.5 45.6 32 56.8V344c0 57.3-50.2 104-112 104-60 0-109.2-44.1-111.9-99.2C265 333.8 320 269.2 320 192V36.6c0-11.4-8.1-21.3-19.3-23.5L237.8.5c-13-2.6-25.6 5.8-28.2 18.8L206.4 35c-2.6 13 5.8 25.6 18.8 28.2l30.7 6.1v121.4c0 52.9-42.2 96.7-95.1 97.2-53.4.5-96.9-42.7-96.9-96V69.4l30.7-6.1c13-2.6 21.4-15.2 18.8-28.2l-3.1-15.7C107.7 6.4 95.1-2 82.1.6L19.3 13C8.1 15.3 0 25.1 0 36.6V192c0 77.3 55.1 142 128.1 156.8C130.7 439.2 208.6 512 304 512c97 0 176-75.4 176-168V231.4c19.1-11.1 32-31.7 32-55.4 0-35.7-29.2-64.5-64.9-64zm.9 80c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16s7.2-16 16-16 16 7.2 16 16-7.2 16-16 16z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-11\" style=\"color:#245fb8\"><strong>Exhalation: Breathing Out<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During normal exhalation, the diaphragm and other inspiratory muscles relax. The chest cavity becomes smaller and the elastic properties of the lungs help them recoil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This pushes air out of the lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exhaled air contains more carbon dioxide and less oxygen than the air that was inhaled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During exercise or other situations when breathing becomes more forceful, additional respiratory muscles can help increase the speed and depth of breathing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group medatlas-h2 is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4636a994 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-color:#245fb8;border-bottom-width:1px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px\"><style>.kt-svg-icons30_ed128b-ce .kt-svg-item-0 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:var(--global-palette4, #2D3748);font-size:50px;}.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons30_ed128b-ce{justify-content:center;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-icon kt-svg-icons kt-svg-icons30_ed128b-ce alignnone\"><style>.kt-svg-item-30_bd7ebf-93 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-30_bd7ebf-93 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#1167d8;font-size:40px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-30_bd7ebf-93\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_stethoscope\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M447.1 112c-34.2.5-62.3 28.4-63 62.6-.5 24.3 12.5 45.6 32 56.8V344c0 57.3-50.2 104-112 104-60 0-109.2-44.1-111.9-99.2C265 333.8 320 269.2 320 192V36.6c0-11.4-8.1-21.3-19.3-23.5L237.8.5c-13-2.6-25.6 5.8-28.2 18.8L206.4 35c-2.6 13 5.8 25.6 18.8 28.2l30.7 6.1v121.4c0 52.9-42.2 96.7-95.1 97.2-53.4.5-96.9-42.7-96.9-96V69.4l30.7-6.1c13-2.6 21.4-15.2 18.8-28.2l-3.1-15.7C107.7 6.4 95.1-2 82.1.6L19.3 13C8.1 15.3 0 25.1 0 36.6V192c0 77.3 55.1 142 128.1 156.8C130.7 439.2 208.6 512 304 512c97 0 176-75.4 176-168V231.4c19.1-11.1 32-31.7 32-55.4 0-35.7-29.2-64.5-64.9-64zm.9 80c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16s7.2-16 16-16 16 7.2 16 16-7.2 16-16 16z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-12\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:54px;border-top-right-radius:54px;border-bottom-left-radius:54px;border-bottom-right-radius:54px;color:#245fb8\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4fc3f8e1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lungs are much more than simple organs that fill with air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every breath involves a coordinated system of airways, respiratory muscles, alveoli, blood vessels, and the nervous system. Air travels through the respiratory tract until it reaches the alveoli, where oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide leaves it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In simple terms: you breathe in oxygen, your lungs transfer it into the blood, your body uses it, and your lungs remove the carbon dioxide produced along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That continuous process happens thousands of times every day\u2014usually without us even thinking about it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-background\" style=\"border-color:#cedff2;border-width:2px;border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;background-color:#f4f9ff;padding-top:0px;padding-right:40px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:40px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2a75eb66 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group medatlas-h2 is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4636a994 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-color:#245fb8;border-bottom-width:1px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px\"><style>.kt-svg-icons30_385caf-01 .kt-svg-item-0 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:var(--global-palette4, #2D3748);font-size:50px;}.wp-block-kadence-icon.kt-svg-icons30_385caf-01{justify-content:center;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-icon kt-svg-icons kt-svg-icons30_385caf-01 alignnone\"><style>.kt-svg-item-30_c43f4e-f2 .kb-svg-icon-wrap, .kt-svg-style-stacked.kt-svg-item-30_c43f4e-f2 .kb-svg-icon-wrap{color:#1167d8;font-size:40px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-single-icon kt-svg-style-default kt-svg-icon-wrap kt-svg-item-30_c43f4e-f2\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fas_stethoscope\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M447.1 112c-34.2.5-62.3 28.4-63 62.6-.5 24.3 12.5 45.6 32 56.8V344c0 57.3-50.2 104-112 104-60 0-109.2-44.1-111.9-99.2C265 333.8 320 269.2 320 192V36.6c0-11.4-8.1-21.3-19.3-23.5L237.8.5c-13-2.6-25.6 5.8-28.2 18.8L206.4 35c-2.6 13 5.8 25.6 18.8 28.2l30.7 6.1v121.4c0 52.9-42.2 96.7-95.1 97.2-53.4.5-96.9-42.7-96.9-96V69.4l30.7-6.1c13-2.6 21.4-15.2 18.8-28.2l-3.1-15.7C107.7 6.4 95.1-2 82.1.6L19.3 13C8.1 15.3 0 25.1 0 36.6V192c0 77.3 55.1 142 128.1 156.8C130.7 439.2 208.6 512 304 512c97 0 176-75.4 176-168V231.4c19.1-11.1 32-31.7 32-55.4 0-35.7-29.2-64.5-64.9-64zm.9 80c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16s7.2-16 16-16 16 7.2 16 16-7.2 16-16 16z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-13\" style=\"color:#245fb8\">\u010cesto postavljana pitanja<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What is the main function of the lungs?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"has-border-color has-theme-palette-9-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"border-color:#cedff2;border-width:1px;border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px\">The lungs bring oxygen into the body and remove carbon dioxide, a waste gas produced by cells.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How does air travel through the lungs?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"has-border-color has-theme-palette-9-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"border-color:#cedff2;border-width:1px;border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px\">Air enters through the nose or mouth, passes through the trachea, and moves into the bronchi and smaller bronchioles before reaching the alveoli.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What happens in the alveoli?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"has-border-color has-theme-palette-9-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"border-color:#cedff2;border-width:1px;border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px\">The alveoli are tiny air sacs where oxygen moves into the blood and carbon dioxide moves from the blood into the lungs to be exhaled.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What role does the diaphragm play in breathing?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"has-border-color has-theme-palette-9-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"border-color:#cedff2;border-width:1px;border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px\">The diaphragm is the main muscle of breathing. When it contracts, the chest cavity expands and air is drawn into the lungs.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How is oxygen carried around the body?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"has-border-color has-theme-palette-9-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"border-color:#cedff2;border-width:1px;border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px\">Most oxygen binds to hemoglobin inside red blood cells and is transported through the bloodstream to the tissues.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What can reduce lung function?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"has-border-color has-theme-palette-9-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"border-color:#cedff2;border-width:1px;border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px\">Smoking, air pollution, infections, asthma, COPD, and other respiratory diseases can interfere with normal airflow or gas exchange.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color\" style=\"border-color:#cedff2;border-width:2px;border-top-left-radius:18px;border-top-right-radius:18px;border-bottom-left-radius:18px;border-bottom-right-radius:18px;padding-top:15px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:15px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5c2a41ba wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Sources<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).<\/strong> <em>How the Lungs Work.<\/em> National Institutes of Health.<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhlbi.nih.gov\/health\/lungs\">https:\/\/www.nhlbi.nih.gov\/health\/lungs<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Library of Medicine \/ MedlinePlus.<\/strong> <em>Lung Diseases.<\/em><br><a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/lungdiseases.html\">https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/lungdiseases.html<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>OpenStax.<\/strong> <em>Anatomy and Physiology \u2013 The Respiratory System.<\/em><br><a href=\"https:\/\/openstax.org\/books\/anatomy-and-physiology-2e\/pages\/22-introduction\">https:\/\/openstax.org\/books\/anatomy-and-physiology-2e\/pages\/22-introduction<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>StatPearls \/ NCBI Bookshelf.<\/strong> <em>Physiology, Pulmonary Ventilation and Perfusion.<\/em><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>American Lung Association.<\/strong> <em>How Lungs Work.<\/em><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lung.org\/lung-health-diseases\/how-lungs-work\">https:\/\/www.lung.org\/lung-health-diseases\/how-lungs-work<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every breath we take is part of a remarkable process that keeps the body alive. The lungs bring oxygen into the&#8230;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1637,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[15,14,13,11,12,16],"class_list":["post-30","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inside-the-human-body","tag-alveoli","tag-gas-exchange-in-the-lungs","tag-how-breathing-works","tag-how-lungs-work","tag-lung-function","tag-oxygen-and-carbon-dioxide"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How Do the Lungs Work? - MedAtlas Health How Do the Lungs Work?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how the lungs work, how breathing happens, and how oxygen enters the blood while carbon dioxide is removed through gas exchange.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/rs\/how-do-the-lungs-work\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"sr_RS\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How Do the Lungs Work? - MedAtlas Health How Do the Lungs Work?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how the lungs work, how breathing happens, and how oxygen enters the blood while carbon dioxide is removed through gas exchange.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/rs\/how-do-the-lungs-work\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"MedAtlas Health\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-08-03T11:52:34+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-09-20T18:08:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/lungs.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1672\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"941\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"MedAtlas Health\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"\u041d\u0430\u043f\u0438\u0441\u0430\u043d\u043e \u043e\u0434\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"MedAtlas Health\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"\u041f\u0440\u043e\u0446\u0435\u045a\u0435\u043d\u043e \u0432\u0440\u0435\u043c\u0435 \u0447\u0438\u0442\u0430\u045a\u0430\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 \u043c\u0438\u043d\u0443\u0442\u0430\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/how-do-the-lungs-work\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/how-do-the-lungs-work\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"MedAtlas Health\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/9cc3bae7ce7b279d4b473a39b952f02b\"},\"headline\":\"How Do the Lungs Work?\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-03T11:52:34+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-09-20T18:08:14+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/how-do-the-lungs-work\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1020,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/how-do-the-lungs-work\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/lungs.webp\",\"keywords\":[\"alveoli\",\"gas exchange in the lungs\",\"how breathing works\",\"how lungs work\",\"lung function\",\"oxygen and carbon dioxide\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Inside the Human Body\"],\"inLanguage\":\"sr-RS\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/how-do-the-lungs-work\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/how-do-the-lungs-work\\\/\",\"name\":\"How Do the Lungs Work? - MedAtlas Health How Do the Lungs Work?\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/how-do-the-lungs-work\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/how-do-the-lungs-work\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/lungs.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-03T11:52:34+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-09-20T18:08:14+00:00\",\"description\":\"Learn how the lungs work, how breathing happens, and how oxygen enters the blood while carbon dioxide is removed through gas exchange.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/how-do-the-lungs-work\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"sr-RS\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/how-do-the-lungs-work\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"sr-RS\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/how-do-the-lungs-work\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/lungs.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/lungs.webp\",\"width\":1672,\"height\":941,\"caption\":\"Air travels through the trachea and branching airways to the alveoli, where oxygen enters the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is removed from the body.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/how-do-the-lungs-work\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Po\u010detna stranica\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How Do the Lungs Work?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"MedAtlas Health\",\"description\":\"Your visual guide to medicine and health\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"sr-RS\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"MedAtlas Health\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"sr-RS\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/cropped-MAH-Logo-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/cropped-MAH-Logo-1.png\",\"width\":1016,\"height\":1254,\"caption\":\"MedAtlas Health\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/9cc3bae7ce7b279d4b473a39b952f02b\",\"name\":\"MedAtlas Health\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"sr-RS\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/wp-content\\\/litespeed\\\/avatar\\\/f8bc6281bc84fcab4f292d3789c3890c.jpg?ver=1790333258\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/wp-content\\\/litespeed\\\/avatar\\\/f8bc6281bc84fcab4f292d3789c3890c.jpg?ver=1790333258\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/wp-content\\\/litespeed\\\/avatar\\\/f8bc6281bc84fcab4f292d3789c3890c.jpg?ver=1790333258\",\"caption\":\"MedAtlas Health\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/medatlashealth.com\\\/rs\\\/author\\\/gabriel-garaj\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How Do the Lungs Work? - MedAtlas Health How Do the Lungs Work?","description":"Learn how the lungs work, how breathing happens, and how oxygen enters the blood while carbon dioxide is removed through gas exchange.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/rs\/how-do-the-lungs-work\/","og_locale":"sr_RS","og_type":"article","og_title":"How Do the Lungs Work? - MedAtlas Health How Do the Lungs Work?","og_description":"Learn how the lungs work, how breathing happens, and how oxygen enters the blood while carbon dioxide is removed through gas exchange.","og_url":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/rs\/how-do-the-lungs-work\/","og_site_name":"MedAtlas Health","article_published_time":"2026-08-03T11:52:34+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-09-20T18:08:14+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1672,"height":941,"url":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/lungs.webp","type":"image\/webp"}],"author":"MedAtlas Health","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"\u041d\u0430\u043f\u0438\u0441\u0430\u043d\u043e \u043e\u0434":"MedAtlas Health","\u041f\u0440\u043e\u0446\u0435\u045a\u0435\u043d\u043e \u0432\u0440\u0435\u043c\u0435 \u0447\u0438\u0442\u0430\u045a\u0430":"6 \u043c\u0438\u043d\u0443\u0442\u0430"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/how-do-the-lungs-work\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/how-do-the-lungs-work\/"},"author":{"name":"MedAtlas Health","@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/#\/schema\/person\/9cc3bae7ce7b279d4b473a39b952f02b"},"headline":"How Do the Lungs Work?","datePublished":"2026-08-03T11:52:34+00:00","dateModified":"2026-09-20T18:08:14+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/how-do-the-lungs-work\/"},"wordCount":1020,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/how-do-the-lungs-work\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/lungs.webp","keywords":["alveoli","gas exchange in the lungs","how breathing works","how lungs work","lung function","oxygen and carbon dioxide"],"articleSection":["Inside the Human Body"],"inLanguage":"sr-RS"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/how-do-the-lungs-work\/","url":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/how-do-the-lungs-work\/","name":"How Do the Lungs Work? - MedAtlas Health How Do the Lungs Work?","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/how-do-the-lungs-work\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/how-do-the-lungs-work\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/lungs.webp","datePublished":"2026-08-03T11:52:34+00:00","dateModified":"2026-09-20T18:08:14+00:00","description":"Learn how the lungs work, how breathing happens, and how oxygen enters the blood while carbon dioxide is removed through gas exchange.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/how-do-the-lungs-work\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"sr-RS","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/how-do-the-lungs-work\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"sr-RS","@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/how-do-the-lungs-work\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/lungs.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/lungs.webp","width":1672,"height":941,"caption":"Air travels through the trachea and branching airways to the alveoli, where oxygen enters the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is removed from the body."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/how-do-the-lungs-work\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Po\u010detna stranica","item":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How Do the Lungs Work?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/","name":"MedAtlas Health","description":"Your visual guide to medicine and health","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"sr-RS"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/#organization","name":"MedAtlas Health","url":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"sr-RS","@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cropped-MAH-Logo-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/cropped-MAH-Logo-1.png","width":1016,"height":1254,"caption":"MedAtlas Health"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/#\/schema\/person\/9cc3bae7ce7b279d4b473a39b952f02b","name":"MedAtlas Health","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"sr-RS","@id":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/wp-content\/litespeed\/avatar\/f8bc6281bc84fcab4f292d3789c3890c.jpg?ver=1790333258","url":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/wp-content\/litespeed\/avatar\/f8bc6281bc84fcab4f292d3789c3890c.jpg?ver=1790333258","contentUrl":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/wp-content\/litespeed\/avatar\/f8bc6281bc84fcab4f292d3789c3890c.jpg?ver=1790333258","caption":"MedAtlas Health"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/medatlashealth.com"],"url":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/rs\/author\/gabriel-garaj\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/rs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/rs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/rs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/rs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/rs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/rs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1654,"href":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/rs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30\/revisions\/1654"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/rs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1637"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/rs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/rs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medatlashealth.com\/rs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}