Rare anatomical variations in lungs - A case report

Abstract

The lungs are a pair of respiratory organs situated in a thoracic cavity. Comprising bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli, they maximize surface area for gas exchange. Their main function is to facilitate the gaseous exchange and to contribute in maintaining the blood's acid-base balance by regulating carbon dioxide levels. They play a pivotal role in immune defence by protecting against pathogens and foreign particles. Lungs are essential for sustaining life by supporting cellular metabolism and physiological homeostasis. Their intricate structure and function make them indispensable for respiratory and overall health. During the routine dissection at the National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur it was observed that the number of lobes and fissures in the lungs were different from the normal anatomy of the lungs. The subject was formalin fixed a 90-year-old male cadaver of North Indian origin. This study aims to summarise rare anatomical variations of the lungs according to lobes and fissures as in addition to having numerous other therapeutic implications, structural changes in the lungs are crucial during segmental or lobar resection of the lungs.