Ces radiol. 2015, 69(3):181-186 | DOI: 10.55095/CesRadiol2015/028

Variability of lung lobes and their projection on the chest X-rayOriginal article

Zuzana Sedláčková, Filip Čtvrtlík, Miroslav Heřman

Radiologická klinika LF UP a FN, Olomouc

Aim: To determine and depict typical extend of lung lobes and its border variants.

Methods: HRCT examinations of the lung in 250 adult patients without major pathology were assessed to find out variants of lung lobes localizations. Afterwards we projected typical localizations and their extreme variants on the chest X-rays.

Results: On the left side, the most frequent uppermost localization of the border between lung lobes was posteriorly at the fourth rib (45%), range from the second to the eighth rib. Posterolaterally the inferior border was most frequently at the sixth rib (52%), range from the fourth to the eighth rib.
On the right side, the most frequent uppermost localization of the border between upper and lower lung lobes was posteriorly at the fifth rib (49%), range from the fourth to the eighth rib. Posterolaterally the inferior border was most frequently at the sixth rib (50%), range from the fourth to the eighth rib. Minor fissure was most frequently located at the level of anterior part of the fourth rib.

Conclusion: The projection of lung lobes on the x-rays is considerably different among individuals. Even with two projections there remain extensive areas in both lungs, where the demarcations of lobes overlay each other. Due to the high variability of the position of interlobar fissures, x-rays often do not provide reliable localization of lung lesions into the lobes.

Keywords: anatomy, chest X-ray, lung, pleura

Grants and funding:

Práce byla podpořena IGA LF 2015 003.

Accepted: September 9, 2015; Published: September 1, 2015  Show citation