Mushkëri

Mushkëri, which translates to "lung" in Albanian, are the pair of organs that enable respiration in humans and many other vertebrates. They perform gas exchange by taking in oxygen from the air and expelling carbon dioxide produced by metabolism. The lungs help maintain blood oxygenation and contribute to acid–base balance in the body.

Anatomy and structure: The human lungs are located in the thoracic cavity, protected by the rib cage and enveloped by a double-layered pleural membrane. The right lung has three lobes (superior, middle, inferior) and the left lung has two (superior, inferior). Each lung is divided into smaller segments and contains the airways, blood vessels, and tiny air sacs called alveoli, where gas exchange occurs. The lungs are covered by visceral pleura and line the chest wall with parietal pleura, with the pleural cavity in between containing a small amount of fluid that reduces friction during breathing.

Function and physiology: Airways begin with the trachea, which branches into bronchi and progressively finer bronchioles, terminating in alveoli. Oxygen diffuses from the alveolar air into the capillaries, while carbon dioxide moves from blood to the alveolar air to be exhaled. The lungs receive blood via the pulmonary arteries and return oxygenated blood through the pulmonary veins. Innervation comes from the autonomic nervous system, and lymphatic drainage helps remove excess fluid and pathogens. Ventilation is driven by the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, with breathing rate regulated by the brainstem and chemoreceptors sensitive to CO2, O2, and pH.

Clinical relevance: Lung health is essential for overall respiration. Common conditions include pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, pleural effusion, and pneumothorax. Symptoms may involve cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or wheezing. Diagnosis relies on imaging (X-ray, CT), pulmonary function tests, and sometimes biopsy, with treatments ranging from medications and oxygen therapy to surgical interventions depending on the condition.