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Right lung (superior lobe)

The right superior lobe of the lung (right upper lobe) is the most superior portion of the right lung. It is separated from the middle and inferior lobes by the horizontal fissure (inferior border) and contributes to the apex and upper anterior thoracic cavity. The superior lobe contains three bronchopulmonary segments supplied by the segmental bronchi of the right superior lobar bronchus:

  • Apical segment (B1)

  • Posterior segment (B2)

  • Anterior segment (B3)

The lobe is ventilated by branches of the right pulmonary artery and drained by pulmonary veins. It plays a vital role in gas exchange and is often a focus in infectious, neoplastic, and inflammatory lung diseases.

Synonyms

  • Right upper lobe

  • Superior lobe of right lung

  • Pulmo dexter (lobus superior)

Function

  • Provides ventilation and oxygenation to the apical and anterior thoracic regions

  • Supports gas exchange via alveoli in apical, anterior, and posterior segments

  • Maintains respiratory mechanics and expansion of the thoracic cavity

  • Plays a central role in diseases such as tuberculosis, lung carcinoma, and pneumonia (commonly involving the upper lobe)

CT Appearance

Lung Window:

  • The right superior lobe appears as a well-aerated, hypodense (black) region in the upper thoracic cavity

  • Segmental bronchi (B1–B3) visible as thin-walled, air-filled tubular structures

  • Pathologies include:

    • Consolidation (pneumonia: airspace opacities)

    • Atelectasis (lobar collapse, volume loss, displacement of fissures)

    • Nodules or masses (primary lung carcinoma or metastases)

    • Tree-in-bud opacities (infection)

    • Cavitary lesions (TB, abscess, carcinoma)

Mediastinal Window:

  • Useful for evaluating vessels, lymph nodes, and mediastinal relations

  • The pulmonary artery branches to the lobe appear as enhancing tubular structures

  • Helpful for detecting hilar lymphadenopathy, tumor invasion, or vascular compression

Contrast-enhanced CT (CECT):

  • Enhances lobar vessels and identifies arterial or venous obstruction

  • Detects endobronchial lesions, parenchymal tumors, or extrinsic mediastinal compression

  • HRCT allows excellent evaluation of interstitial disease, fibrosis, and fine airway changes

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Aerated lung parenchyma appears as signal void (black)

  • Bronchial walls appear hypointense; surrounding fat and vessels provide contrast

  • Useful mainly for mediastinal and hilar evaluation

T2-weighted images:

  • Normal aerated parenchyma = signal void

  • Pathological changes (consolidation, edema, effusion, tumor, cavity fluid) appear hyperintense

  • Distinguishes fluid-filled lesions from solid tumors

T1 Post-Contrast (Gadolinium-enhanced):

  • Normal aerated lung does not enhance

  • Abnormalities:

    • Tumors = heterogeneous or nodular enhancement

    • Inflammation/infection = diffuse or patchy enhancement

    • Abscesses = peripheral rim enhancement with central non-enhancing cavity

CT image

Right lung (superior lobe) anatomy CT coronal image -img-00000-00000