Characteristics Of Healthy Lungs Healthfully The lungs are the center of the respiratory (breathing) system. every cell of the body needs oxygen to stay alive and healthy. your body also needs to get rid of carbon dioxide. Each healthy lung is 10 to 12 inches long and appears pink and sponge-like. to make room for the heart between the two lungs inside the chest cavity, the left lung is slightly smaller than the right lung and describe a healthy lung has two lobes instead of the three lobes on the right lung. the rib cage, made up of 12 sets of ribs, protects the lungs. Lung capacity predicts health and longevity. a 29-year study published in chest concluded that lung capacity is a long-term predictor of respiratory mortality, and should be used as a tool for general health assessment. because of this, people with chronic pulmonary conditions should pay particular care to monitoring lung capacity. occurred in individuals with underlying illnesses including diabetes, of the disease...