Space
Oblique fissure
Sloping pleural boundary beside the inferior lobe
High-yield
The boundary slopes forward and downward, which places much of each inferior lobe behind the other lobes. Fissure depth and completeness vary.
Overview
Each lung normally has an oblique fissure. It separates the inferior lobe from the superior lobe on the left and from both other lobes on the right.
Reference facts
- Boundaries
- Visceral pleural surfaces between the inferior lobe and adjacent lobe or lobes
- Contents
- A thin pleural interval when complete; incomplete areas contain bridging lung tissue
- Communications
- Opens to the surrounding pleural cavity at the surface; joins the right horizontal fissure
Clinical correlation
Incomplete fissures affect the apparent boundaries on imaging and the anatomy encountered during surgery. They should not automatically be interpreted as disease.
Frequently asked questions
What are the boundaries of the oblique fissure?
The oblique fissure is bounded by the visceral pleural surfaces between the inferior lobe and adjacent lobe or lobes.
What does the oblique fissure contain?
A thin pleural interval when complete; incomplete areas contain bridging lung tissue.
What does the oblique fissure communicate with?
Opens to the surrounding pleural cavity at the surface; joins the right horizontal fissure.