A Practical Physiology: A Text-Book for Higher SchoolsBlaisdell, Albert F. (Albert Franklin)
Science
A Practical Physiology: A Text-Book for Higher Schools
Blaisdell, Albert F. (Albert Franklin)
Human physiology; Physiology
Delicate, hair-like filaments, not unlike the pile on velvet, called
cilia, spring from the epithelial lining of the air tubes. Their
constant wavy movement is always upwards and outwards, towards the
mouth. Thus any excessive secretion, as of bronchitis or catarrh, is
carried upwards, and finally expelled by coughing. In this way, the
lungs are kept quite free from particles of foreign matter derived from
the air. Otherwise we should suffer, and often be in danger from the
accumulation of mucus and dust in the air passages. Thus these tiny
cilia act as dusters which Nature uses to keep the air tubes free and
clean (Fig. 5).
Illustration: Fig. 87.—Bronchial tube, with its Divisions and
Subdivisions. (Showing groups of air cells at the termination of minute
bronchial tubes.)
206. The Lungs. The lungs, the organs of respiration, are two pinkish
gray structures of a light, spongy appearance, that fill the chest
cavity, except the space taken up by the heart and large vessels.
Between the lungs are situated the large bronchi, the œsophagus, the
heart in its pericardium, and the great blood-vessels. The base of the
lungs rests on the dome-like diaphragm, which separates the chest from
the abdomen. This partly muscular and partly tendinous partition is a
most important factor in breathing.
Each lung is covered, except at one point, with an elastic serous
membrane in a double layer, called the pleura. One layer closely
envelops the lung, at the apex of which it is reflected to the wall of
the chest cavity of its own side, which it lines. The two layers thus
form between them a Closed Sac a serous cavity (see Fig. 69, also note,
p. 176).
Illustration: Fig. 88.—The Lungs with the Trachea, Bronchi, and Larger
Bronchial Tubes exposed. (Posterior view.)
A, division of left bronchus to upper lobe;
B, left branch of the Pulmonary artery;
C, left bronchus;
D, left superior pulmonary vein;
E, left inferior pulmonary vein;
F, left auricle;
K, inferior vena cava;
L, division of right bronchus to lower lobe;
M, right inferior pulmonary vein;
N, right superior pulmonary vein;
O, right branch of the pulmonary artery;
P, division of right bronchus to upper lobe;
R, left ventricle;
S, right ventricle.
In health the two pleural surfaces of the lungs are always in contact,
and they secrete just enough serous fluid to allow the surfaces to
glide smoothly upon each other. Inflammation of this membrane is called
_pleurisy_. In this disease the breathing becomes very painful, as the
secretion of glairy serum is suspended, and the dry and inflamed
surfaces rub harshly upon each other.
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