Morphological variations of the lung fissures and lobes

Knowledge of the position of fissures of the lungs is necessary for the appreciation of lobar anatomy and thus locating the bronchopulmonary segments. Morphological variations of fissures and lobes of the lungs were studied in 30 pairs of lungs from cadavers. 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. Awareness regarding anatomical variations is essential for performing lobectomies and segmental resection and interpreting radiological images.