Lateral views of the lungs (English)

This perspective clearly shows the anterior and inferior borders of the lungs as well as their costal surfaces. The costal surface faces the ribs and is covered by visceral pleura. Due to the ‘spongy’ nature of the lung parenchyma, the ribs leave defined marks known as costal impressions along the entire costal surface.The lungs are divided into lobes by double folds of pleura which form fissures. From the lateral view the fissures are seen as thick lines that extend across the costal surface. The left lung has only one fissure (oblique fissure of left lung) which divides it into superior and inferior lobes, while the right lung has two fissures (oblique and horizontal fissures of right lung) that divide it into superior, middle, and inferior lobes.