lung root (left, anatomy)
Last reviewed 01/2018
The lung root on the left is ensheathed by the pulmonary ligament which hangs inferiorly. The relations of the root to landmarks on the surface of the lung is described in the submenu on the mediastinal surface.
The left-sided lung root is approximately triangular in shape with the apex pointing posteroinferiorly. It is roughly central within the mediastinal surface. The relations of structures within the root are:
- anteriosuperiorly: left pulmonary artery
- anteroinferiorly: left superior pulmonary vein
- inferiorly: left inferior pulmonary vein, the most inferior structure within the root
- intermediate between pulmonary artery and veins: principal left bronchus
- superiorly: left pulmonary artery; the most superior structure within the left root