Organs
Lungs
Interactive Lungs
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The human lungs, the organ of respiration, facilitate the transfer of air that is rich in oxygen to the tissues, but also releases the carbon dioxide that is a waste product of human metabolism. The lungs reside in the chest cavity also known as the thorax. They consist of five lobes, two on the left, and three on the right. The need for lung transplantation occurs when a person suffers from lung disease such as cystic fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. Transplanting the lungs can occur with one side or two as well as with the heart if the need arises. This is known as en bloc.
Successful lung transplantation was first performed in the early 1980s. Patients with life-threatening breathing problems, which cannot be cured with medication or the usual surgery, are considered for either single or double lung transplantation. Most recipients wait many months before a suitable organ is located because only one in seven organ donors has lungs that are healthy enough for transplantation. Patients who also have serious heart problems may receive a combined heart-lung transplant. In 2003, there were 1,085 lung transplants performed. During that time period, 448 patients died waiting for a lung transplant.
