Bronchopulmonary segments are the lung's fundamental structural units, pyramidal in shape,
each with its own segmental bronchus/artery, crucial for surgical planning as they're distinct
functional units, with the right lung having 10 (3 upper, 2 middle, 5 lower) and the left having
8-10 (4 upper including lingula, 4-6 lower), separated by connective tissue, enabling localized
disease management. For an 8-mark answer, define segments, describe their features
(pyramidal, independent supply), list them by lobe for both lungs, and mention their clinical
significance (surgery/infection). [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
Definition & Key Features
● Definition: Bronchopulmonary segments are pyramid-shaped subdivisions of lung lobes,
with their apex pointing towards the lung root and base towards the pleura, supplied by a
tertiary bronchus and segmental pulmonary artery.
● Independence: Each segment functions independently, receiving its own airway and
blood supply, making them vital for segmental resections in surgery.
● Numbering: Segments are numbered (S1-S10) for precise anatomical description. [1, 2,
3, 6, 7]
Right Lung Segments (10 Total)
● Upper Lobe (3): Apical (S1), Posterior (S2), Anterior (S3).
● Middle Lobe (2): Lateral (S4), Medial (S5).
● Lower Lobe (5): Superior (S6), Medial Basal (S7), Anterior Basal (S8), Lateral Basal
(S9), Posterior Basal (S10). [1, 5]
Left Lung Segments (8-10 Total)
● Upper Lobe (5): Apical (S1), Posterior (S2), Anterior (S3), Superior Lingular (S4), Inferior
Lingular (S5) (Lingula is equivalent to middle lobe).
● Lower Lobe (4-6): Superior (S6), Medial Basal (S7), Anterior Basal (S8), Lateral Basal
(S9), Posterior Basal (S10) (S7 & S8 often combined as Anteromedial Basal). [1, 5]
Clinical Significance
● Surgical Resection: Allows surgeons to remove diseased lung tissue (like tumors)
without removing an entire lobe.
● Infections/Disease: Localized infections (e.g., pneumonia, abscesses) can be confined
to specific segments, influencing diagnosis and treatment. [4, 5, 8]
AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/bronchopulmonary-segments
[2] https://www.scribd.com/doc/236968543/Bronchopulmonary-Segments
[3] https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/bronchopulmonary-segments-45367488/45367488
[4] https://www.britannica.com/science/bronchopulmonary-segment
[5] https://journals.viamedica.pl/folia_morphologica/article/view/91393
[6] https://journals.viamedica.pl/folia_morphologica/article/view/FM.a2023.0011
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoTxlgg6FKg
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mjjMCGT7GE
