The human right lung has how many lobes?

The story behind the answer

The human right lung has three lobes—superior, middle, and inferior—separated by the horizontal and oblique fissures. In contrast, the left lung has only two lobes (superior and inferior) because it must make room for the heart, creating the cardiac notch. This asymmetry explains why “3” is correct for the right lung.

Remember it with: “Left is less” (2 lobes) and “Right is more” (3 lobes). Clinically, the right main bronchus is wider and more vertical, so inhaled objects are more likely to enter the right lung. Each lobe contains bronchopulmonary segments, allowing targeted surgery or disease localization without affecting the entire lung.