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CancerQuest > Introduction to Patient Information > Introduction to Cancer by Type > Lung Cancer: Introduction > Lung Cancer: Anatomy of the Lungs

Lung Cancer: Anatomy of the Lungs

Human lungs are two spongy organs located on each side of the heart. During inhalation, air flows from the nose or mouth through the pharynx (throat) and larynx (which contain the vocal cords) into the trachea (wind pipe). The trachea divides into two bronchi, which direct air into the right and left lungs.

Within the lungs, the bronchi divide into several smaller bronchioles. Air flows from bronchioles into tiny air sacs, called alveoli. A group of alveoli is referred to as a lobule. Lobules are, in turn, grouped into lobes. The left lung contains two lobes, whereas the right contains three.

 

 

A network of tiny blood vessels, called capillaries, surrounds the alveoli. The lining of these blood vessels is so thin that oxygen and carbon dioxide can move between the capillaries and the alveoli. Carbon dioxide diffuses from the capillaries into the alveoli and is released from the body during exhalation. Oxygen diffuses in the opposite direction, from the alveoli into the blood, and is carried throughout the body by the circulatory system.

Most lung cancers begin in epithelial cells lining the bronchi.⁽¹⁾ Cancers that develop in epithelial cells are known as carcinomas

References for this page:

1. What is non-small cell lung cancer? American Cancer Society (Accessed October 2010). [http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/LungCancer-Non-SmallCell/OverviewGuide/lung-cancer--non-small-cell--overview-non-small-cell-lung-cancer]