The blind pouches which the air cells surround are called infundibula and are separated by delicate membranous septa in which lie the capillaries of the pulmonary artery, thus exposing the blood to the air on two sides. The lung itself is supplied by the bronchial arteries from the thoracic aorta and by branches of the sympathetic and pneumogastric nerves.
At birth the lungs are pinkish-white in color but in later life they are marked with slate-colored patches, due to the deposit in the lung tissue of particles of dirt breathed in. They are light, spongy, and highly elastic, and will float in water, crepitating upon pressure owing to the air in the tissue.
At birth, also, the lungs are solid, so that the first air has to overcome adhesions between the collapsed walls of the bronchioles and air sacs, but after they are thus gradually unfolded, in that they are of extensible material and open to the air above, atmospheric pressure from within keeps them distended to the full extent of the chest, which is air tight. They never collapse afterwards unless puncture of the chest wall, as in stabbing, causes collapse, in which case the lung shrivels into a small ball.
Respiration.—That the organic materials used by the body as food may give up their energy they must be broken up, and for this oxygen is needed. The supply of oxygen for the purpose is brought to the tissues by the blood, which acquires it in the lungs, and the waste product of combustion, carbon dioxide, is carried off in the same manner. The lungs are, therefore, adapted to take in large quantities of air and to keep up a rapid exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. This process of supplying oxygen to the tissues and of removing carbon dioxide and other waste is ordinarily an involuntary act, though it can be regulated temporarily, and is known as respiration or breathing.
There are two periods to respiration; 1. inspiration or the drawing in of air, and 2. expiration or the
