Final answer:
The main difference between the right and left lung is the number of lobes they contain. The right lung has three lobes, while the left lung has two lobes. The structural differences between the right and left lung have functional implications for their respective roles in respiration and gas exchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main difference between the right and left lung is the number of lobes they contain. The right lung has three lobes (superior, middle, and inferior), while the left lung has two lobes (superior and inferior). This difference in lobes is due to the position of the heart in the chest, which affects the size and shape of the left lung.
Additionally, the right lung is shorter and wider than the left lung, which allows it to accommodate the heart and other organs in the chest. The left lung is smaller and occupies less volume compared to the right lung. These structural differences between the right and left lung have functional implications for their respective roles in respiration and gas exchange.
Overall, the right and left lung work together to facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the respiratory system. The differences in lobes and size allow for efficient functioning and proper placement of other organs in the thoracic cavity.