Abstract:
The left and right lungs extend from the second rib to the 13th, while only a small
portion is present cranial to the 4th rib. The basal border of the left lung extends
horizontally from the second costochondral junction (CCJ) to just ventral to the
seventh CCJ, and then dorso-caudally to the angle of the 13th rib. The right lung
has a similar configuration except for the basal border, which is located above the
fifth to the sixth CCJ. The cardiac incisure is more prominent in the right lung
and is formed by the notched space between the ventral margins of the cranial
and middle lobes. The lungs are well-lobated, with complete fissures laterally but
none medially. The trachea and primary bronchi are large and have a wide, thin
membranous part. The muscular front limbs could limit cranial thoracic expansion, with the result that the bulk of the functional lung capacity is present caudal to the tricipital line. Recommended sites for intracardiac injections are on
either side of the fifth CCJ, and for thoracocentesis, just dorsal to the seventh or
eighth CCJ. Care is needed while intubating a lion's trachea because of the delicate membranous part.
