The difference between the right lung and the left lung is the most important information you need to know

The lungs are one of the most important organs in the body, performing a vital function that is indispensable: supplying oxygen to all the body’s cells and removing carbon dioxide. But have you ever wondered about the difference between the right lung and the left lung? Although they work together as one team, there are important differences between them that give each lung its own special role and unique shape.In this Medical Guide article, we will explore all the differences between the right and left lungs in an easy and simple way, so you can understand how your body works and how your breathing stays healthy and proper.

What is the Role of the Lungs in the Body?
The lungs are the two organs responsible for the essential process of breathing in our body. Their main function is gas exchange, which means:

Taking oxygen from the air we breathe and transferring it to the blood so it can reach all the cells in the body.
Removing carbon dioxide, which is a waste gas produced by the body’s processes, by exhaling it out.

Therefore, the lungs help our body function properly and keep our cells healthy.

What Distinguishes the Right Lung?
The right lung is larger than the left lung because it consists of three lobes: the upper lobe, the middle lobe, and the lower lobe.

In the right lung, there is a large oblique fissure that separates the lower lobe from the upper and middle lobes.
There is also a smaller horizontal fissure between the upper and middle lobes.

On the other hand, the left lung is smaller and has only two lobes because it occupies less space due to the heart’s position on the left side of the chest.

Is the Right Lung Smaller than the Left Lung?
No, actually, the left lung is slightly smaller than the right lung. This is because the heart is located on the left side and needs space, so the left lung takes up less room in the chest.

What is Under the Right Lung?
Under the right lung, specifically beneath the right side of the rib cage, there are several very important organs, including:

The liver: The largest internal organ in the body, which plays a key role in cleaning the blood and producing important substances.
The gallbladder: A small organ that stores bile, which helps digest fats.
The pancreas: Responsible for producing digestive enzymes and important hormones like insulin.

Is the Right Lung Bigger than the Left?
Humans have two lungs: a right lung and a left lung, both located inside the chest cavity.

The right lung is larger in size and heavier in weight than the left lung.
The left lung is smaller because it shares space with the heart, which lies on the left side of the chest.
The combined weight of both lungs is about 1.3 kilograms (approximately 2.9 pounds).

Can You Live with Only One Lung?
Yes, it is possible to live with only one lung if necessary. Most people can manage without one lung if it has been removed or damaged because the remaining lung is usually enough to provide the body with the oxygen it needs and to remove carbon dioxide.
Of course, the remaining lung must be healthy and able to perform its function.
Lung removal is done surgically through an incision on the side of the body.

How Do You Know if the Right Lung is Failing?
If your right lung is having problems or failing, you may experience symptoms such as:

Difficulty performing simple daily activities like dressing, bathing, or climbing stairs due to severe fatigue.
Shortness of breath or feeling like you can’t take a deep breath.
Persistent tiredness or drowsiness.
A bluish color appearing on the fingertips, lips, or feet, which indicates a lack of oxygen in the blood.

What is the Function of the Right Lung?
The right lung has three lobes: upper, middle, and lower.

Blood vessels (arteries and veins) and airways (bronchi) enter and exit through an area called the “lung hilum.”

Each lobe is divided into smaller segments called “bronchopulmonary segments,” each with its own blood supply. This allows surgeons to remove one segment if needed without significantly affecting the rest of the lung.

Between these lobes are clear fissures: two fissures in the right lung and one fissure in the left lung.

Does the Lung Grow Back After Part of It Is Removed?
Unfortunately, the lung does not regrow after part of it is removed.
Lung tissue does not regenerate like some other organs. Therefore, if part of the lung is removed, that part is permanently lost. The remaining lung adapts as much as possible to compensate partially.

Is It Possible to Remove Part of the Lung?
Yes, in certain medical cases, part of the lung may be surgically removed when there is a problem or disease in only one part.
This surgery is called a lobectomy, where only the affected lobe is removed, and the healthy lung continues to function normally.
This operation is usually done through thoracic surgery, which involves opening the chest to reach the lung and perform the removal.

Is Lung Removal Surgery Risky?
Like any major surgery, lung removal carries some risks, including:

Bleeding during or after the operation.
Infection.
Blood vessel blockage that supplies the lung in case of lung transplant or circulation problems.

Can You Live a Normal Life with Lung Disease?
Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) depends on the severity and progression of the disease.

Many patients can live for long periods, especially if treatment begins early.

For those in advanced stages (stage 3 or 4), the average life expectancy is reduced, but with proper care, they can still live for years with an acceptable quality of life.

What is the Survival Rate After Lung Removal?
According to medical studies:

Simple lung removal surgery was performed in 89 cases, with a mortality rate of about 20%.
Radical lung removal surgery was done in 118 cases, with mortality rates ranging from 15% to 25%.
After 5 years or more following lobectomy (removal of a lung lobe), around 41% of patients were still alive. This means the surgery offers a chance for long-term survival.

How to Keep Your Lungs Healthy?
To maintain healthy lungs and avoid lung diseases:

Avoid smoking completely, as it is the main cause of lung diseases.
Stay away from polluted air and contaminated environments.
Exercise regularly to improve lung capacity and breathing.
Maintain personal hygiene to reduce the risk of respiratory infections.

What Are Common Symptoms of Lung Problems?
If you notice any of these symptoms, they might indicate a lung problem:

Persistent cough lasting a long time.
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Pain or discomfort in the chest area.
Coughing up phlegm or blood.
Wheezing or unusual sounds when breathing.

Does Smoking Affect Lung Health?
Definitely. Smoking is one of the biggest causes of lung damage. It leads to serious diseases such as:

Lung cancer
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

What is the Difference Between Asthma and Bronchitis?

Asthma: A chronic disease that affects the airways, causing temporary narrowing and difficulty breathing.
Bronchitis: Can be acute or chronic; usually caused by infection or irritation of the airways.

Can Pneumonia Be Cured?
Yes, most pneumonia cases improve with antibiotics and rest. However, severe cases may require hospitalization for treatment and monitoring.

Can Lung Diseases Be Prevented?
Yes, you can protect your lungs easily by:

Quitting smoking completely
Avoiding air pollution
Washing your hands regularly to prevent infections
Getting necessary vaccines like the flu shot and pneumonia vaccine

Is It Possible to Live With Only One Lung?
Yes, people can live with only one lung. The remaining lung compensates for the reduced breathing capacity, but overall lung function will be lower than normal.

What Causes Shortness of Breath?
Shortness of breath can result from many causes including:

Asthma
Bronchitis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Heart problems

Are There Exercises That Strengthen the Lungs?
Yes, aerobic exercises such as:

Walking
Running
Swimming

help strengthen the lungs and improve breathing.

How Do Doctors Check Lung Health?
Doctors assess lung health by:

General physical examination
Chest X-rays
Breathing tests (like measuring lung capacity)
Sometimes blood tests

Are Lung Diseases Contagious?
Some lung diseases are contagious, like pneumonia and tuberculosis.
Others are not contagious, like asthma and pulmonary fibrosis.

Does Passive Smoking Affect the Lungs?
Yes, passive smoking (inhaling smoke from others’ cigarettes) can seriously harm the lungs. It is especially dangerous for children and pregnant women because their lungs are more sensitive.

What Are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer?

If you notice symptoms like:

A persistent cough that doesn’t go away
Coughing up blood with phlegm
Chest pain
Unexplained weight loss
Difficulty breathing

You should see a doctor immediately because these are important signs of lung cancer.

What Is the Difference Between the Right and Left Lung?

The right lung is slightly larger and has 3 lobes, while the left lung is smaller with only 2 lobes. This is because the heart is located on the left side, which reduces the size of the left lung to make space for the heart.

How Much Air Do the Lungs Hold?

Men’s lungs can hold more air than women’s. At rest:

A man’s lung can hold about 750 cubic centimeters of air.
A woman’s lung can hold approximately 285 to 393 cubic centimeters.

Interestingly, even healthy people use only about 70% of their lung capacity, even during intense exercise.

Can a Person Live With One Lung?

Yes, it is possible to live with only one lung! In some medical cases like cancer or severe lung injury, doctors may remove an entire lung (a surgery called pneumonectomy). Thankfully, if the other lung is healthy, it can compensate for the missing lung by providing the oxygen the body needs and removing carbon dioxide naturally.

Where Are the Lungs Located Inside the Body?

The lungs are located inside the chest, specifically under the collarbone (clavicle) at the top, between the 6th rib in front and the 10th rib at the back. The right and left lungs fill the chest cavity on their sides, with the heart situated in the middle.

What Are the Parts That Make Up the Lung?

Each lung contains many parts that help it function efficiently, such as:

Pulmonary arteries: Carry oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation.
Pulmonary veins: Carry oxygen-rich blood from the lungs back to the heart to be distributed to the body.
Bronchial arteries: Supply blood to the airways and surrounding lung tissue.
Bronchi and bronchioles: Airways starting from the trachea, branching into about 30,000 small bronchioles per lung, which carry air to millions of alveoli (about 600 million in total) where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange occurs.

What Is the Function of the Lungs?

The lungs are the primary organs responsible for breathing, performing gas exchange inside the body. Simply put:

The lungs bring oxygen from the air into the blood, which carries it to cells for use.
At the same time, blood carries carbon dioxide from the cells back to the lungs to be expelled when you exhale.

But the lungs have several other important functions:

Regulating body acidity: When carbon dioxide builds up, blood becomes more acidic. The lungs increase breathing rate to expel excess carbon dioxide and maintain acid-base balance.
Filtering blood: The lungs filter small blood clots and air bubbles to prevent health problems.
Protecting the heart: In some trauma cases, the lungs absorb shocks to protect the heart.
Fighting infections: The lungs secrete an antibody called Immunoglobulin A that protects against infections.
Cleaning airways: Mucus traps dust and bacteria, and tiny hair-like structures called cilia move them out by coughing.
Helping speech: Air passing through the lungs enables us to speak; without breathing, talking is impossible.

Benefits of the Left Lung

Although smaller, the left lung has an important role:

Performs the same gas exchange function as the right lung, ensuring oxygen reaches all body cells.
Is smaller to leave space for the heart (located in the cardiac notch).
Expands and contracts during breathing, helping regulate chest air pressure and ease breathing.
Balances air and blood distribution with the right lung for efficient respiration.
Contains immune tissue that helps fight germs and viruses.

Benefits of the Right Lung

The right lung is larger and has 3 lobes, which allows it to:

Hold a larger volume of air and supply more oxygen to the body.
Perform much of the breathing work and support body stability and energy.
Quickly respond to increased oxygen demand during physical activity.
Help balance chest pressure together with the left lung.
Remove large amounts of carbon dioxide, maintaining acid-base balance in the blood.

Comparison Table Between Right and Left Lung

Feature	Right Lung	Left Lung
Number of Lobes	3 lobes: upper, middle, lower	2 lobes: upper and lower
Size	Larger and wider	Smaller and narrower (due to heart)
Shape	Larger, bulkier, more straight	Smaller, with indentation for heart
Weight	Slightly heavier	Slightly lighter
Cardiac Notch	Not present	Present (to accommodate the heart)
Location in Chest	Right side	Left side
Main Bronchi	3 main bronchi (one per lobe)	2 main bronchi (one per lobe)

Key Differences Between the Right and Left Lung

Location:
- Right lung is on the right side, its base near the liver, separated by the diaphragm.
- Left lung is on the left side, its base near the stomach, with space for the heart.
Dimensions and Volume:
- Right lung is wider and larger but shorter by about 5 cm compared to the left.
- Left lung is longer and narrower due to the heart occupying some of the space.

3. Shape of the Lung Base

Right Lung: The base of the lung is concave (curved inward).
Left Lung: Less concave because the heart occupies some space.

4. Number of Lobes

Right Lung: Has 3 lobes — upper, middle, and lower.
Left Lung: Has only 2 lobes — upper and lower.

5. Number of Fissures Between Lobes

Right Lung: Has two fissures:
- An oblique fissure separating the lower lobe from the others.
- A horizontal fissure between the upper and middle lobes.
Left Lung: Has only one horizontal fissure separating the upper and lower lobes.

6. Main Bronchi

Right Lung: Has two main bronchi.
Left Lung: Has one main bronchus.

7. Number of Pulmonary Segments (Small Units Inside the Lung)

Right Lung: About 10 segments.
Left Lung: Between 9 and 10 segments.

8. Weight

Right Lung: Heavier, weighing about 700 grams.
Left Lung: Lighter, weighing about 650 grams.

9. Adjacent Organs

Right Lung: Next to the liver.
Left Lung: Next to the heart, which is why it has a cardiac notch to accommodate the heart.

Common Lung Diseases and How to Prevent Them

Lungs are one of the most important organs in the body because they are responsible for oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal. Any problem with them can affect breathing and overall health. Here are the most common lung diseases and ways to keep your lungs healthy:

✅ Common Lung Diseases:

Pneumonia
This disease occurs when the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs become inflamed, making breathing difficult. Symptoms include:
- Severe cough
- High fever
- Chest pain
- General fatigue
Asthma
A chronic disease that narrows the airways, causing:
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing when breathing
- Repeated coughing, especially at night or after exertion
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Makes breathing difficult over time, often caused by smoking.
Lung Cancer
Begins with abnormal cell growth in the lungs, often linked to smoking or exposure to toxins. Symptoms include:
- Persistent cough
- Coughing up blood
- Unexplained weight loss
Pulmonary Embolism
Occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lung, causing:
- Sudden chest pain
- Severe shortness of breath
- Dizziness or fainting
Tuberculosis (TB)
A chronic bacterial infection affecting the lungs, causing:
- Persistent cough
- Coughing up blood
- Loss of appetite and weakness
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Leads to stiffening of lung tissue, reducing its flexibility and making breathing difficult over time. It can be caused by autoimmune diseases or exposure to chemicals.

Golden Tips to Keep Your Lungs Healthy

To keep your lungs strong and breathe comfortably, follow these tips:

Avoid Smoking
Smoking is the number one enemy of the lungs! It makes breathing harder and increases the risk of lung cancer and COPD.
Exercise Regularly
Activities like walking, running, or swimming improve lung capacity and breathing efficiency.
Drink Plenty of Water
Hydration helps keep the lung lining moist and clears mucus and toxins.
Try Breathing Exercises
Very helpful for asthma or COPD patients as they increase lung capacity and refresh the air inside.
Keep Your Home Clean
Regularly clean carpets or replace them with tiles or wood flooring to reduce dust and irritants harmful to the lungs.
Protect Yourself from Infections
- Wash your hands frequently
- Avoid crowded places during cold and flu season
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Get the flu vaccine every year