Publication

Abstract : Detailed knowledge of variations in the lobes and fissures of the lungs is important for radiologists to be able to correctly interpret radiological images and also for clinicians in planning segmental resection or pulmonary lobectomy. The right lung normally has three lobes divided by two fissures, and the left lung has two lobes divided by one fissure. Many studies have presented variations in the fissural and lobar patterns of the lungs through radiological examination, CT scan, and also through embalmed cadavers and specimens. We have conducted a study on 76 formalin- fixed lung specimens (36 right and 40 left) from male cadavers ranging from 45-65 years of age to characterize the variations in the formalinfixed lung specimens from a population of South Indian origin. It was found that four out of seventy -six lungs (5%) exhibited accessory lobes, and fourteen out of seventy-six lungs (18%) presented accessory fissures. These findings are of clinical importance and also of academic interest to all in the medical field.