How the lungs work

The lungs are one of the hardest-working organs in the body. They expand and contract up to 20 times a minute to supply oxygen to be distributed to tissue all over the body and expel carbon dioxide that has been created throughout the body. The cone-shaped lungs are sponge-like organs that fill the chest cavity and make up most of the lower respiratory tract. Their most important job is providing oxygen to capillaries so they can oxygenate blood. Each lung is divided into lobes. The right lung has three, but the left lung has only two to accommodate the heart. Together, the lungs’ tissue surface is almost 40 times greater than the body’s outer surface, making the lungs (together) one of the largest organs in the body.


Breathing muscle strength after spinal cord injuryPulmonary complications are still among the leading causes of death in patients with complete spinal cord injury (SCI). Individual pulmonary diagnostics and therapy are therefore central aspects in order to…
Respiratory Biomarkers in Motor Neurone DiseaseThe inability to breathe is unfortunately the most common cause of death in people living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Last year, our clinical research group in Melbourne reported that…

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Respiratory Biomarkers in Motor Neurone DiseaseRESPIRATORY BIOMARKERS IN MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE

The inability to breathe is unfortunately the most common cause of death in people living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Last year, our clinical research group in Melbourne reported that breathing...

CHEST-MND:PROCHEST-MND:PRO

Motor neurone disease (MND) causes the body's muscles to weaken. Breathing muscle weakness means that most people affected by MND will eventually lose the ability to take a deep breath and cough strongly....

ResearchFest 2026RESEARCHFEST 2026

ResearchFest 2026 at Austin Health launched new research flagships and honored Professor Mark Howard (Distinguished Scientist) and Professor Eliza Hawkes (Women in Research Award), with insights from Peter Doherty.

Championing Sleep Research!CHAMPIONING SLEEP RESEARCH!

We are announcing exciting updates to our Early and Mid-Career Researcher (EMCR) representation at the Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS). The MSRC extend a warm thank you to Charissa Zaga and welcome Jessica Manousakis!

ANZSRS Life Membership for Danny BrazzaleANZSRS LIFE MEMBERSHIP FOR DANNY BRAZZALE

Danny Brazzale has earned a prestigious ANZSRS Life Membership—held by only 11 people—for his global leadership and dedicated mentorship in respiratory science.

Perth Highlights: TSANZSRS 2026PERTH HIGHLIGHTS: TSANZSRS 2026

A huge congratulations to all our team members who participated in the excellent workshops and meetings at the TSANZSRS Annual Scientific Meeting in Perth in March 2026! Well Done!

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