Daigrams for relations of lungs on all sides

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Here are the complete anatomical diagrams and descriptions for the relations of the lungs on all sides, from Gray's Anatomy for Students and the Color Atlas of Human Anatomy Vol. 2.

Overview: Surfaces and Borders of Both Lungs

Each lung has the shape of a half cone. Its surfaces conform to surrounding structures.

Lungs - overview of surfaces, borders, hilum

Fig. 3.44 - Both lungs showing surfaces, borders, hilum and roots (Gray's Anatomy for Students)

Roots and Hila

Fig. 3.45 - Roots and Hila: bronchus (posterior), pulmonary artery (superior/middle), pulmonary veins (inferior/anterior)

Four Surfaces of Each Lung (Color Atlas)

Right and left lungs - lateral and medial views with numbered structures

Fig. 3.15 - Lung surface (Color Atlas of Human Anatomy Vol. 2) - A: Right lung lateral, B: Left lung lateral, C: Right lung medial, D: Left lung medial

The four main surfaces and their relations:

Surface	Relations
Costal (outer/lateral)	Ribs and intercostal muscles - convex
Mediastinal (medial)	Heart, great vessels, esophagus, bronchi
Diaphragmatic (base)	Diaphragm - concave
Apex	Projects 2-3 cm above clavicle into root of neck; crossed by subclavian vessels

Right Lung - Lobes, Fissures & Mediastinal Relations

Right lung - lobes (A) and mediastinal relations (B)

Fig. 3.46 - (A) Right lung: superior, middle, inferior lobes; horizontal and oblique fissures. (B) Major structures related to the mediastinal surface of the right lung

Mediastinal (medial surface) relations of the RIGHT lung:

Heart (cardiac impression)
Superior vena cava (anterior/superior)
Inferior vena cava (inferior)
Azygos vein (arches over the hilum posteriorly)
Esophagus (posterior)
Right subclavian artery and vein (arch over the apex / superior lobe)

Left Lung - Lobes, Fissures & Mediastinal Relations

Left lung - lobes (A) and mediastinal relations (B)

Fig. 3.47 - (A) Left lung: superior and inferior lobes with lingula; oblique fissure. (B) Major structures related to the mediastinal surface of the left lung

Mediastinal (medial surface) relations of the LEFT lung:

Heart (larger cardiac impression - heart projects more into left pleural cavity)
Aortic arch (grooves the superior aspect of the mediastinal surface)
Thoracic aorta (posterior groove, runs along the entire posterior mediastinal surface)
Esophagus (posterior, inferior)
Left subclavian artery (groove at apex)
Left brachiocephalic vein (superior)
Pulmonary artery (at hilum)

Summary Table: Relations on All Sides

Side	Right Lung	Left Lung
Costal (lateral)	Ribs 1-10, intercostal spaces	Ribs 1-10, intercostal spaces
Mediastinal (medial)	Heart, SVC, IVC, azygos vein, esophagus	Heart (larger impression), aortic arch, thoracic aorta, esophagus
Diaphragmatic (base/inferior)	Right dome of diaphragm (higher, over liver)	Left dome of diaphragm (lower)
Apex (superior)	Right subclavian artery & vein, cervical pleura, 1st rib	Left subclavian artery & vein, aortic arch, cervical pleura
Posterior (vertebral)	Vertebral column (T1-T10), sympathetic chain	Vertebral column, descending thoracic aorta
Anterior border	Meets opposite lung behind sternum	Has cardiac notch (heart bulges left) + lingula

Key differences between the two lungs:

The right lung is shorter (pushed up by right dome of diaphragm / liver) and wider, has 3 lobes (superior, middle, inferior) and 2 fissures (oblique + horizontal)
The left lung is narrower and longer, has 2 lobes (superior, inferior) and 1 fissure (oblique); its medial surface has a prominent cardiac notch and lingula
On the right, the azygos vein arches over the hilum - a key posterior relation unique to the right side
On the left, the aortic arch and thoracic aorta are the dominant posterior/medial relations unique to the left side

Sources: Gray's Anatomy for Students, pp. 205-209 | Color Atlas of Human Anatomy Vol. 2 (Internal Organs), pp. 211-212

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