Morphological variations of the lung fissures and lobes.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the position of fissures of the lungs is necessary for the appreciation of lobar anatomy and thus locating the bronchopulmonary segments. METHODS: Morphological variations of fissures and lobes of the lungs were studied in 30 pairs of lungs from cadavers. RESULTS: Five right-sided lungs showed absence of horizontal fissure, 19 showed incomplete horizontal fissure. Eleven right-sided and 14 left-sided lungs showed incomplete oblique fissure and two right-sided lungs showed both absence of horizontal fissure and an incomplete oblique fissure. Accessory fissure was seen in three left-sided and one right-sided lungs. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness regarding anatomical variations is essential for performing lobectomies and segmental resection and interpreting radiological images.