Left lung, upper lobe (with lingula)
Lobus superior pulmonis sinistri
RespiratoryOrgansThoraxLeft side
- What it is
- The upper lobe of the left lung, including the lingula: the tongue-shaped process below the cardiac notch, where the anterior border is pushed aside by the heart.
- Function
- Gas exchange; ventilated by the left upper lobe bronchus (apicoposterior and anterior segments, plus superior and inferior lingular segments).
- Size
- About 22% of total lung volume; the cardiac notch indents the anterior border by 3–4 cm at the 4th–5th costal cartilages.
- Clinical note
- The lingula is the left-sided counterpart of the right middle lobe; the cardiac notch leaves part of the pericardium uncovered by lung (the area of superficial cardiac dullness).