How many lobes does the right lung have?

The right lung has three lobes, which are distinctly organized into the upper, middle, and lower lobes. This anatomical structure reflects the efficiency of the lung in facilitating gas exchange, while also accommodating the space taken up by the heart on the left side of the thorax.

The division of the right lung into three lobes is made visible by two fissures: the horizontal fissure separating the upper and middle lobes, and the oblique fissure that separates the middle and lower lobes. Understanding this lobular anatomy is crucial for recognizing how lung diseases may affect specific regions of the lung, as well as for guiding surgical interventions or diagnostic imaging interpretations.

This specific configuration contrasts with the left lung, which has only two lobes due to the presence of the heart, hence emphasizing the unique structural adaptations of the lungs.