The right main bronchus is wider, shorter and more vertical than the left. The azygos vein arches over it and the right pulmonary artery lies at first inferior, then anterior to it. It gives off its first branch, the superior lobe bronchus, behind the right pulmonary artery. The superior lobe bronchus divides into three segmental bronchi: the apical, the posterior and the anterior. The middle lobe bronchus arises from the anterior surface of the main bronchus and divides into two branches to supply the lateral and medial segments of the middle lobe. The main bronchus continues after giving off the middle lobe bronchus as the inferior lobe bronchus. The inferior lobe bronchus gives of branches to the segments of the inferior lobe: the apical and anterior, medial, lateral and posterior basal segmental bronchi.
The right lung is grooved by the right subclavian artery, the superior vena cava and on its medial surface it has a cardiac impression where it is related to the right auricle, right atrium and part of the right ventricle. The azygos vein forms a groove posterior to the hilum. The right side of the esophagus makes a groove continuing inferiorly from the groove formed by the azygos vein. The base of the right lung is deeply concave due to the high position of the diaphragm on the right, over the liver.
Return to MENU