Left lung, lower lobe
Lobus inferior pulmonis sinistri
RespiratoryOrgansThoraxLeft side
- What it is
- The left lower lobe lies below and behind the oblique fissure and rests on the left dome of the diaphragm; its medial surface is grooved by the descending aorta.
- Function
- Gas exchange; ventilated by the left lower lobe bronchus (superior, anteromedial basal, lateral basal and posterior basal segments).
- Size
- About 23% of total lung volume; the left lung as a whole is ~10% smaller than the right because of the heart.
- Clinical note
- Lower-lobe pneumonia irritating the diaphragmatic pleura can refer pain to the shoulder tip (phrenic nerve, C3–C5) or the upper abdomen.