Organ
Right superior lobe
Upper right lobe containing the lung apex
High-yield
The standard segment names are apical, posterior and anterior: S1, S2 and S3.
Overview
This lobe reaches into the root of the neck and occupies much of the upper anterior right chest. Its airway arises above the right pulmonary artery.
Reference facts
- Location
- Upper right lung, above the horizontal fissure and anterior to the upper oblique fissure
- Parts
- Apical S1; posterior S2; anterior S3
- Blood supply
- Superior lobar pulmonary arterial branches, with bronchial supply to airway walls
- Innervation
- Autonomic and sensory fibers through the right pulmonary plexus
- Relations
- Cervical pleura and thoracic inlet near the apex; azygos arch and superior vena cava medially
- Function
- Gas exchange in the superior right lung
Clinical correlation
An apical tumor can extend into the brachial plexus or sympathetic pathway, causing arm symptoms or Horner syndrome; these findings depend on which structures are invaded.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the right superior lobe located?
The right superior lobe lies upper right lung, above the horizontal fissure and anterior to the upper oblique fissure.
What does the right superior lobe do?
Gas exchange in the superior right lung.
What are the parts of the right superior lobe?
Apical S1; posterior S2; anterior S3.
What is the blood supply of the right superior lobe?
Superior lobar pulmonary arterial branches, with bronchial supply to airway walls.