Final answer:
The lungs are divided into lobes, with the right lung having three lobes - superior, middle, and inferior, and the left lung having two - superior and inferior. These lobes are separated by fissures and are well-supplied by their airways and blood vessels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lungs are divided into smaller units called lobes that are separated by deep fissures. Each lung has lobes which are individual sections enclosed and segmented by these fissures. The right lung consists of three lobes: the superior, middle, and inferior lobes, while the left lung includes two lobes: the superior and inferior lobes. Fissures play a critical role in separating these lobes to ensure proper functioning and division of labor in the respiratory process.
These lobes are not only anatomically distinct but they also have their supply routes for air and blood; each lobe contains multiple bronchopulmonary segments, with each segment receiving air from its tertiary bronchus. This segmentation is essential for lung function and also allows for surgical interventions, where diseased segments may be removed with minimal effect on adjacent segments. Moreover, the left lung is smaller to make room for the heart, highlighting the close relationship between the structure of the lungs and the positioning of other vital organs in the thorax.