Pulmonary means relating to the lungs, the spongy organs in your chest that help you breathe. When doctors talk about pulmonary health, they're discussing how well your lungs are working. A pulmonary specialist is a doctor who focuses on lung diseases and breathing problems.

You might hear about pulmonary function tests, which measure how much air your lungs can hold and how quickly you can breathe it out. Athletes often have excellent pulmonary capacity because their lungs have grown strong and efficient through regular exercise.

Your circulatory system includes pulmonary arteries and veins that carry blood between your heart and lungs. This pulmonary circulation is crucial: blood picks up oxygen in your lungs and releases carbon dioxide with every breath you take. Without healthy pulmonary function, your body couldn't get the oxygen it needs to run, think, and play.

When someone has a pulmonary infection like pneumonia, their lungs can become inflamed and filled with fluid, making breathing difficult and painful.