What's
something that you do all day, every day, no matter where you
are or who you're with?
Every single person in the world has to say BREATHE.
Breathing
air is necessary for keeping humans (and many animals) alive.
And do you know the two parts that are large and in charge when
it comes to breathing? If you guessed your lungs,
you're right!
Your lungs
make up one of the largest organs in your body, and they work with your
respiratory system to allow you to take in
fresh air, get rid of stale air, and even talk. Let's take
a tour of the lungs!
Locate
Those Lungs
Your
lungs are in your chest, and they
are so large that they take up
most of the space in there.
You
have two lungs, but they aren't
the same size the way your eyes or nostrils are. Instead,
the lung on the left side of your body is a bit smaller than the lung
on the right. This extra space on the left leaves room for your heart.
Your
lungs are protected by your rib cage,
which is made up of 12 sets of ribs. These ribs are connected to your
spine in your back and go around your lungs to keep them safe.
You
can't see your lungs, but it's easy to feel
them in action: put your hands on your chest and breathe
in very deeply. You will feel your chest getting slightly bigger.
Now breathe out the air, and feel your chest return to its regular
size. You've just felt the power of your lungs!
Love
Your Lungs
Your lungs are amazing: they allow you to breathe, talk to your friend,
shout at a game, sing, laugh, cry, and more! And speaking of a game,
your lungs even work with your brain to help you inhale (breathe in)
and exhale (breathe out) a larger amount of air at a more rapid rate
when you're running a mile - all without you even thinking about it
once.
Keeping
your lungs looking and feeling healthy is a good idea, and the best
way to keep your lungs pink and healthy is not
to smoke. Smoking isn't good for any part of your body, and
your lungs especially hate it.
You can
also show your love for your lungs by exercising!
Exercise is good for every part of your body, and especially for your
lungs and heart.
When you
take part in vigorous exercise (like biking, running, or swimming, for
example), your lungs require more air to give your cells the extra oxygen
they need. As you breathe more deeply and take in more air, your lungs
become stronger and better at supplying your body with the air it needs
to succeed. Keep your lungs healthy and they will thank you for life!
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This information
has been taken from: www.kidshealth.com
