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Lungs Facts & Worksheets

The lungs are a pair of spongy, air-filled organs located on either side of the chest (thorax). The trachea (windpipe) conducts inhaled air into the lungs through its tubular branches, called bronchi.

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The lungs are a pair of spongy, air-filled organs located on either side of the chest (thorax). The trachea (windpipe) conducts inhaled air into the lungs through its tubular branches, called bronchi. The bronchi then divide into smaller and smaller branches (bronchioles), finally becoming microscopic.

See the fact file below for more information on the lungs or alternatively, you can download our 21-page Lungs worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

FUNCTION

  • According to the American Lung Association, adults typically take 15 to 20 breaths a minute, which comes to around 20,000 breaths a day.
  • Babies tend to breathe faster than adults. For example, a newborn’s normal breathing rate is about 40 times per minute while the average resting respiratory rate for adults is 12 to 16 breaths per minute.
  • Though breathing seems simple, it is a very complex process. The right lung is divided into three different sections, called lobes. The left lung has just two lobes.
  • The lobes are made of sponge-like tissue that is surrounded by a membrane called pleura, which separates the lungs from the chest wall.

CONDITION

  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Damage to the lungs results in difficulty blowing air out, causing shortness of breath. Smoking is by far the most common cause of COPD.
  • Emphysema: A form of COPD usually caused by smoking. The fragile walls between the lungs’ air sacs (alveoli) are damaged, trapping air in the lungs and making breathing difficult.
  • Chronic bronchitis: Repeated, frequent episodes of productive cough, usually caused by smoking. Breathing also becomes difficult in this form of COPD.
  • Pneumonia: Infection in one or both lungs. Bacteria, especially streptococcus pneumoniae, are the most common cause.
  • Asthma: Also called reactive airway disease before diagnosis, asthma is a lung disease where the air passageways in the lungs become inflamed and narrow, making it hard to breathe.

HEALTH PROMOTION

  • One of the best ways to promote good lung health is to avoid cigarette smoke because at least 70 out of the 7,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke damage the cells in the lungs.
  • According to the Mayo Clinic, people who smoke have the greatest risk of lung cancer. The more a person smokes, the greater the risk.
  • Those who smoke are 15 to 30 times more likely to get lung cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If a person quits smoking, their lungs can heal from much of the damage, says Dr. Norman Edelman, a senior scientific adviser for the American Lung Association and a specialist in pulmonary medicine.
  • The Rush University Medical Center also suggests practicing deep breathing exercises, staying hydrated and taking regular exercise to keep the lungs healthy. They also recommend having homes tested for radon.
  • “Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in the ground. It typically leaks into a house through cracks in the foundation and walls. Radon is the main cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers, and the second-leading cause of the disease after smoking,” they say.

LUNGS TEST

  • Chest X-ray: An X-ray is the most common first test for lung problems. It can identify air or fluid in the chest, fluid in the lung, pneumonia, masses, foreign bodies, and other problems.
  • Computed Tomography (CT scan): A CT scan uses X-rays and a computer to make detailed pictures of the lungs and nearby structures.
  • Sputum Culture: Culturing mucus coughed up from the lungs can sometimes identify the organism responsible for pneumonia or bronchitis.
  • Spirometry: A pulmonary function test measures how fast and how much air you can breathe out.

Lungs Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the lungs across 21 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Lungs worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the lungs which are a pair of spongy, air-filled organs located on either side of the chest (thorax). The trachea (windpipe) conducts inhaled air into the lungs through its tubular branches, called bronchi. The bronchi then divide into smaller and smaller branches (bronchioles), finally becoming microscopic.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Lungs Facts
  • Lungs Anatomy
  • Word Jumble
  • True or False?
  • Inhale, Exhale
  • Words to Know
  • Healthy Lungs
  • Wordsearch
  • Complete the Chart
  • Picture Scrapbook
  • Lungs Research

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Link will appear as Lungs Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, October 8, 2019

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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