Colored Costal Surface of the Lungs, Superior View

Description

Superior to the diaphragmatic base and deep to the costal pleura, the costal surface (facies costalis) of the lung is presented with color coding that separates pleural reflections from the underlying pulmonary parenchyma. Medially, attention falls to the hilum, where the main bronchus lies posterior to the pulmonary artery, and the pulmonary veins occupy a more anterior and inferior position as they approach the left atrium. Along the anterosuperior border, the apex projects above the level of the first rib toward the thoracic inlet. Clean relationships. Color separation at the hilum matters because this is the map surgeons and radiologists use when discussing a central lesion, lymphadenopathy, or operative exposure during thoracotomy or VATS. On the left side, the pulmonary artery typically sits superior to the bronchus (RALS is the quick mnemonic), a relationship that guides safe stapling and helps interpret whether a mass is hilar versus mediastinal. Seeing the costal surface from a superior perspective also reinforces how the rib cage and parietal pleura contour the lung, a practical teaching point when explaining pleural effusion layering and why apical pneumothorax collects at the apex on upright chest radiographs. Common use includes gross anatomy lab teaching of pleural recesses and lung borders, thoracic surgery orientation material for hilum dissection, and radiology education on hilar anatomy and silhouette sign correlations on PA and lateral chest imaging. It also fits pulmonary and cardiothoracic textbook figures that need a clean, labeled reference for the left lung hilum and costal pleural relationships. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.