Morphological Variations in Fissures and Lobar Pattern in Human Lungs.

ABSTRACT

Background: Our study aims to study the variations in lobar pattern and fissures of both right and left human lungs. Methods: 41 formalin fixed cadaveric lungs were obtained from the Department of Anatomy, SRMS IMS. The lungs were studied to observe the variations of fissures and lobes. Abnormal or accessory lobes were also noted. Results: 18 right lung and 23 left lung specimens were obtained and studied. Among the right lungs studied one showed an incomplete oblique fissure, six showed incomplete horizontal fissures. The horizontal fissure was absent in three right lungs. In the left lung only one lung showed the presence of an incomplete oblique fissure. Conclusion: The lung is a vital organ for life. Hence, considering the clinical importance of such anomalies, we as anatomists suggest that awareness and knowledge of the variations in the lobes and fissures of the lungs may be important for surgeons planning lobectomies and surgical resections involving individual segments and for radiologists to accurately interpret radiological images. This knowledge has further become more significant with the increasing incidence of lung carcinomas.