The inferior extent of the lung at the midclavicular line is at which rib?

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Multiple Choice

The inferior extent of the lung at the midclavicular line is at which rib?

Explanation:
Lung borders can be mapped by surface landmarks on the chest wall. The inferior edge of the lung runs along the chest wall and reaches different rib levels depending on the location around the thorax. At the midclavicular line, the lung’s lower border sits opposite the sixth rib. This reflects how the diaphragmatic dome and the pleural reflections position the lung differently along the anterior surface compared with the lateral and posterior surfaces (where the base can reach lower—about the eighth rib at the midaxillary line and the tenth rib posteriorly). So, at the midclavicular line, the inferior extent is at the sixth rib.

Lung borders can be mapped by surface landmarks on the chest wall. The inferior edge of the lung runs along the chest wall and reaches different rib levels depending on the location around the thorax. At the midclavicular line, the lung’s lower border sits opposite the sixth rib. This reflects how the diaphragmatic dome and the pleural reflections position the lung differently along the anterior surface compared with the lateral and posterior surfaces (where the base can reach lower—about the eighth rib at the midaxillary line and the tenth rib posteriorly). So, at the midclavicular line, the inferior extent is at the sixth rib.

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