The difference between the left lung and the right lung

Each of us has two lungs. The main function of the lungs is to maintain the respiratory system. If our lungs are damaged, we will suffer from various diseases, cough frequently, and have difficulty breathing. Although our left and right lungs look similar in appearance, they are still different. So what is the difference between the left and right lungs?

lung:

Location: The lungs are located in the chest cavity, on both sides of the mediastinum, one on the left and one on the right.

The left and right lungs have different morphological structures: the left lung is divided into two lobes, the upper and lower lobes, and the right lung is divided into three lobes, the upper, middle, and lower lobes. There is a cardiac notch and a left lingula at the front edge of the left lung, and the pulmonary artery, vein, and main bronchi are arranged differently in the roots of the left and right lungs.

The relationship between the lungs and pleura: The surface of the lungs is covered with a tightly connected layer of pleura, called the visceral pleura.

Costophrenic recess: one on each side, formed by the folding of the costal pleura and the diaphragmatic pleura, it is the lowest and largest capacity of all the pleural recesses. The depth can reach two intercostal spaces, and pleural effusion often accumulates in the costophrenic recess.

In a normal person, the right lung is larger than the left lung. The left lung has two lobes and the right lung has three lobes, with the right accounting for 55% and the left accounting for 45%. However, if the left lung is inflamed, obstructed, or has pneumothorax, the right lung may be more compensatory than before.

If the problem with the left lung is not too serious, you can proceed with general activities as usual, but you may feel a little different than usual during slightly strenuous activities. The examination is simple and easy. Take a chest X-ray and it is normal to see that the right lung is enlarged. If there is no problem with the left lung, just ignore it. If there is inflammation, obstruction, pneumothorax, etc.

Tumors are divided into benign and malignant. Only malignant ones are cancer; benign ones are generally sarcomas and can be cured by removal. In addition, if it is cancer, it will be accompanied by many complications, such as cough (lung cancer), fever, weight loss, cachexia, etc. If a tumor is detected initially, the following tests should be performed:

1. Blood tests, usually to check for tumor markers;

2. X-ray chest anteroposterior and lateral views can be used to observe the shape and location of the mass.

3. In addition to understanding the location and shape of the tumor, chest CT scans can also measure CT values. The accuracy is higher if enhanced CT is performed.

4. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

5. The last step is percutaneous lung puncture biopsy, which can directly obtain pathological diagnosis results.

Only fiberoptic bronchoscopy can be performed. Only percutaneous lung puncture biopsy can confirm whether it is lung cancer and the specific type of lung cancer.

Don't worry too much, but get it checked out as soon as possible.