Lungs, heart and respiration
Most of the energy we use in our bodies relies on aerobic respiration, which requires oxygen. Our lungs, our heart and the rest of our respiratory and circulatory systems are vital for getting oxygen into and around our bodies, as well as for getting rid of waste products. You can find out more about these vital body parts in this collection of nine images.
Image research by Benjamin Thompson and Chrissie Giles; captions adapted by Chrissie Giles. All of the images are free to use in your classroom. For more scientific and medical images, see Wellcome Images.
Parts of the lower respiratory tract
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IMAGE 1 of 9
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Artwork showing an anterior view of the larynx, thyroid, trachea and lungs with bronchial tree.
Credit: Medical Art Service, Munich/Wellcome Images.
Credit: Medical Art Service, Munich/Wellcome Images.
Lungs and bronchial tree
IMAGE 2 of 9
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Artwork of the lobes of both lungs, the trachea branching into the right and left bronchi, the smaller bronchioles and the air spaces containing the alveoli.
Credit: Wellcome Images, Wellcome Images.
Credit: Wellcome Images, Wellcome Images.
Normal lung showing blood vessels
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IMAGE 3 of 9
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An X-ray showing blood vessels inside a normal lung.
Credit: Wellcome Photo Library, Wellcome Images.
Credit: Wellcome Photo Library, Wellcome Images.
Alveolus in the lung
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IMAGE 4 of 9
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A colour-enhanced scanning electron micrograph of an alveolus (plural: alveoli).
Credit: David Gregory and Debbie Marshall, Wellcome Images.
Credit: David Gregory and Debbie Marshall, Wellcome Images.
Alveoli in the lung
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IMAGE 5 of 9
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A colour-enhanced scanning electron micrograph of the inner surface of the lung, showing alveoli.
Credit: David Gregory and Debbie Marshall, Wellcome Images.
Credit: David Gregory and Debbie Marshall, Wellcome Images.
Pulmonary circulation
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IMAGE 6 of 9
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Artwork of the heart, its vessels and the lungs. This diagram illustrates the circulation of the blood from the right ventricle back to the left atrium, during which carbon dioxide is excreted and oxygen absorbed.
Credit: Wellcome Images.
Credit: Wellcome Images.
A human heart
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IMAGE 7 of 9
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A digitally enhanced image of a model human heart.
Credit: Gordon Museum, Wellcome Images.
Credit: Gordon Museum, Wellcome Images.
Red blood cells
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IMAGE 8 of 9
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A colour-enhanced scanning electron microscope image of red blood cells.
Credit: David Gregory and Debbie Marshall, Wellcome Images.
Credit: David Gregory and Debbie Marshall, Wellcome Images.
The heart and exercise
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IMAGE 9 of 9
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Artwork showing men exercising in the chambers of the heart, representing the link between exercise and a healthy heart.
Credit: Oliver Burston, Wellcome Images.
Credit: Oliver Burston, Wellcome Images.