Expansion
Right lung is grooved by the azygos vein and superior vena cava; the left by the aortic arch and descending aorta
Expansion
Right lung
- Groove for the azygos vein, arching above the hilum
- Groove for the superior vena cava and right brachiocephalic vein
- Groove for the oesophagus, behind the hilum
- Small cardiac impression, mostly right atrium
Left lung
- Large cardiac impression, with the cardiac notch and lingula
- Prominent groove for the aortic arch, arching above the hilum
- Groove for the descending thoracic aorta
- Groove for the left subclavian artery
The pattern is logical: the great arteries mark the left lung and the great veins mark the right, matching the position of each vessel in the mediastinum.