Base of lung
1. Anterior border 2. Mediastinal part 3. Medial surface 4. Inferior lobe 5. Base of lung
1. Apex of lung 2. Superior lobe 3. Costal surface 4. Middle lobe 5. Inferior lobe 6. Base of lung
Latin	basis pulmonis
Gray's	subject #240 1094

The base of the lung is broad, concave, and rests upon the convex surface of the diaphragm, which separates the right lung from the right lobe of the liver, and the left lung from the left lobe of the liver, the stomach, and the spleen.

Since the diaphragm extends higher on the right than on the left side, the concavity on the base of the right lung is deeper than that on the left.

Laterally and behind, the base is bounded by a thin, sharp margin which projects for some distance into the phrenicocostal sinus of the pleura, between the lower ribs and the costal attachment of the diaphragm.

The base of the lung descends during inspiration and ascends during expiration.

[edit] See also

• zones of the lung

[edit] External links

• base+of+lung at eMedicine Dictionary

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.