Final answer:
The heart and lungs are directly linked through pulmonary circulation for gas exchange, while systemic circulation connects chest and abdominal organs. The functions and structures differ, with the heart's left side being thicker to pump blood systemically, unlike the right side, which pumps to the lungs, and the pleurae protect lung tissue during respiration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The connection between the heart and lungs is similar to the connection between chest organs and abdominal organs in that they are all part of interconnected systems that support the body's vital functions. The heart pumps blood to the lungs through the pulmonary circulation for gas exchange, while the systemic circulation connects the chest organs to the abdominal organs to supply nutrients and remove wastes. These connections differ, however, in their specific functions and structures.
Pulmonary circulation is dedicated to oxygenating blood and removing carbon dioxide, occurring in close proximity within the thorax; conversely, systemic circulation involves a broader range of processes across the entire body. The left side of the heart has a thicker muscle wall than the right because it needs to pump blood to the whole body, including the abdominal organs, whereas the right side only pumps blood to the lungs. The pleurae of the lungs ensure that the expansion and contraction during breathing do not damage the lung tissue.