Alveoli Damaged by Smoking - Medical Illustration, Human Anatomy Drawing
This medical illustration provides a detailed view of alveoli (labeled), the microscopic air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs. They are depicted as clusters of rounded structures with thin walls and are connected to bronchioles. The alveoli appear discolored with darkened areas and patches, suggestive of pathological changes such as those seen in conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, or long-term smoking-related damage. Branches of the pulmonary artery (shown in purple) bring deoxygenated blood from the right heart to the network of capillaries surrounding the alveoli. Oxygenated blood leaves the alveoli through branches of the pulmonary vein (shown in red) on its way to the left heart.