Fig. 90. The heart and lungs removed from the chest, and the lungs freed from all other attachments. 1, The right auricle of the heart. 2, The superior vena cava. 3, The inferior vena cava. 4, The right ventricle. 5, The pulmonary artery issuing from it. a, a, The pulmonary artery, (right and left,) entering the lungs. b, b, Bronchia, or air-tubes, entering the lungs. v, v, Pulmonary veins, issuing from the lungs. 6, The left auricle. 7, The left ventricle. 8, The aorta. 9, The upper lobe of the left lung. 10, Its lower lobe. 11, The upper lobe of the right lung. 12, The middle lobe. 13, The lower lobe.
Observation. When this membrane that covers the lungs, 212 and also lines the chest, is inflamed, the disease is called “pleurisy.”
466. By what are the lungs enclosed? What is the relative position of the lungs and pleura? What is said of the reflected pleuræ? Explain fig. 90. What part of the lungs is affected in pleurisy?
467. The lungs are composed of the ramifications of the bronchial tubes, which terminate in the bronchial cells, (air-cells,) lymphatics, and the divisions of the pulmonary artery and veins. All of these are connected by cellular tissue, which constitutes the pa-ren´chy-ma. Each lung is retained in its place by its root, which is formed by the pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins, and bronchial tubes, together with the bronchial vessels and pulmonary nerves.
468. The TRACHEA extends from the larynx, of which it is a continuation, to the third dorsal vertebra, where it divides into two parts, called bronchia. It lies anterior to the spinal column, from which it is separated by the œsophagus.
469. The BRONCHIA proceed from the bifurcation, or division of the trachea, to their corresponding lungs. Upon entering the lungs, they divide into two branches, and each branch divides and subdivides, and ultimately terminates in small sacs, or cells, of various sizes, from the twentieth to the hundredth of an inch in diameter. So numerous are these bronchial or air-cells, that the aggregate extent of their lining membrane in man has been computed to exceed a surface of 20,000 square inches, and Munro states that it is thirty times the surface of the human body.
Illustration. The trachea may be compared to the trunk of a tree; the bronchia, to two large branches; the subdivisions of the bronchia, to the branchlets and twigs; the air-cells, to the buds seen on the twigs in the spring.
470. The AIR-VESICLES and small bronchial tubes compose 213 the largest portions of the lungs. These, when once inflated, contain air, under all circumstances, which renders their specific gravity much less than water; hence the vulgar term, lights, for these organs. The trachea and bronchial tubes are lined by mucous membrane. The structure of this membrane is such, that it will bear the presence of pure air without detriment, but not of other substances.
467. Of what are the lungs composed? How retained in place? 468. Where is the trachea situated? 469. Describe the bronchia. What is the aggregate extent of the lining membrane of the air-cells? To what may the trachea and its branches be compared? 470. What is said of the air-cells and bronchial tubes?