Variation in lobar morphology of the left lungs and clinical implications: A cadaveric case report from Uganda

The lungs are vital organs of respiration occupying the thoracic cavity. The lungs are covered by a membrane called pleura and located in the pulmonary cavity. The lungs are attached to the mediastinum via pulmonary ligament. Anatomically the right lungs and left lungs have distinct uniqueness and structural differences. The right lungs have three lobes: superior, middle and inferior lobe divided by 2 fissures; namely horizontal and oblique fissure while the left lungs have two lobes with only one oblique fissure separating the lobes into superior and inferior lobes. Structural variations may exist in the lobar structure, with incomplete fissures, or absences of a particular fissure in either lung. A notable variation in the left lungs was observed during a gross anatomy dissection session in a middle age male cadaveric subject. We observed incomplete oblique fissure and lobes which are not completely separated. Distortion in the embryological development of the lungs has been reported to be associated with morphological variation of the lungs. Knowledge of these variations is of great anatomical and clinical importance and becomes handy during surgical procedures involving the lungs.