Difference Between Right and Left Lung

The key difference between right and left lung is that the right lung consists of three lobes while the left lung consists of two lobes. Moreover, the right lung connects to the trachea by two bronchi while the left lung connects to the trachea by a single bronchus.

The lung is the largest organ found in the respiratory system of many animals. The human lungs are a pair of the cone-shaped organ that lies on the thoracic cavity above the diaphragm. In an adult human, both lungs weigh about 2.3 kg and contain 300 to 500 million alveoli. The heart and great vessels in the middle mediastinum separate the right and left lungs, and each of them contains a base, a lateral or costal surface, and a medial surface. Except for the medial surface (called hilum), all the other surfaces of the lung encase with a pleura. The pulmonary artery enters the lung, and the pulmonary veins leave it at the ‘hilum’. The lungs have two zones, namely conducting zone and respiratory zone. The conducting zone consists of the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and terminal bronchioles and is used to conduct air within the respiratory system. As the name implies, the respiratory zone involves in the respiration, and it comprises respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli. The main function of lungs is the gas exchange; inhaling O2 and exhaling CO2.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Right Lung
3. What is Left Lung
4. Similarities Between Right and Left Lung
5. Side by Side Comparison – Right vs Left Lung in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Right Lung?

The right lung is one of the two lungs of the respiratory system. It locates on the right side and connects to the right bronchus. Right lung has three lobes namely upper, middle and lower and more segments. It also has two bronchi.

Figure 01: Right lung

Furthermore, the right lung is shorter and wider. Thus, it has a bigger volume than the left lung. Hence, it is heavier than the left lung. There are two fissures in the right lung namely horizontal and oblique fissures. It provides space for the liver, and the base of the right lung is more concave.

What is Left Lung?

The lung that locates in the left side of the respiratory system is the left lung. It consists of two lobes and an oblique fissure. Left lung is smaller since it provides space for the heart. It has single bronchus.

Figure 02: Left Lung

Furthermore, the left lung is narrower and bit longer. But it contains lesser volume hence it is lighter than the right lung. The base of the left lung is less concave compared to the base of the right lung.

What are the Similarities Between Right and Left Lung?

• Both lungs are part of the respiratory system.
• They are made from soft, elastic spongy tissues.
• Air comes from trachea through bronchi to lungs.
• They consist of alveoli where the gas exchange occurs.
• Both lungs have lobes.
• Each lung encases by pleura.
• They facilitate the exchange of O2 and CO2.

What is the Difference Between Right and Left Lung?

Respiratory system has two lungs located in the right and left side. The lung that locates in the right side is the right lung. Left lung locates at the left side. The right lung has three lobes while left lung has two lobes. This is the key difference between right and left lung. Moreover, the right lung connects to the trachea by two bronchi while the left lung connects to the trachea by a single bronchus.

The below infograph presents more details on the difference between right and left lung in tabular form.

Summary – Right vs Left Lung

Lungs are the primary organs of our respiratory system which allow us to breathe fresh air and expel CO2. There are two lungs; right lung and left lung. The right lung has three lobes and more segments than the left lung. Furthermore, right lung is shorter and wider. Left lung has two lobes, and it is a bit longer. However, the left lung is smaller than the right lung due to the location of the heart. Since the volume of the right lung is higher than the left lung, it spaces more air hence it is heavier than the left lung. This is the difference between right and left lung.

Image Courtesy:

1.”2312 Gross Anatomy of the Lungs”By OpenStax College – Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. Jun 19, 2013. (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia  
2.”Lobar pneumonia illustrated”By Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pbXFn5yrnZ6YsqOx07CcnqZemLyue8OinZ%2Bdopq7pLGMm5ytr5Wau26%2ByKCfrWWRo7FuwtJmo56epGK5trrGaA%3D%3D