Pulmonary fissures and lobar variations in relation to surgical &Radiological implications

Lungs are separated into lobes by fissures, with three lobes on the right and two on the left. The fissures facilitate the uniform expansion of the whole lung. The anatomical knowledge of the fissures and the lobes of the lung is important for accurate interpretation of bronchopulmonary segments on X-rays and CT scans. 40 pairs of lungs removed from cadavers were utilized for the study of the pattern of lobulations by careful dissection. Observations were made for the absence or presence of fissures and when present whether it is complete or incomplete. The findings are also confirmed with the help of the X-rays. On the right side four lungs showed the absence of horizontal fissure, twelve lungs showed incomplete horizontal fissure and in fourteen lung specimens inferior lobe showed an accessory lobe. In seven lungs accessory fissures were seen. On the left side in fourteen specimens extra lobe was present in between the two lobes, in four lungs incomplete oblique fissure was present and in eight lungs accessory fissures were seen. Anatomical knowledge of the presence of accessory lobes and fissures in the lung may be important for performing lobectomies, surgical resections involving individual segments and to radiologists for accurate interpretation of radiological images Key WordsLobes; Oblique fissure; Transverse fissure