Gross Morphology and Biometry of the Lungs of Indian Fruit Bat (Pteropus medius)

Abstract

The present study was conducted on the lungs of Indian fruit bat. The lungs were paired organs occupying major portion of the thoracic cavity. Both the lungs were divided into lobes by deep fissures. Right lung presented four lobes namely apical, cardiac, diaphragmatic and accessory lobe. Diaphragmatic lobe was the largest. Apical lobe was undivided. The cardiac lobe was divided into two unequal halves by a shallow fissure. The accessory lobe was closely attached to the diaphragmatic lobe and was triangular in outline. The left lung was made ofundivided apical lobe and diaphragmatic lobe. Apex was rounded with broad base. The costal or lateral surface was convex with no distinct impression of ribs. The diaphragmatic surface of right lung was larger than that of the left lung. The medial or mediastinal surface was irregular in both the lungs. The dorsal border was thick and rounded and the ventral border was thin and irregular. The cardiac notch was deeper on right lung but wider on left lung. Cardiac notch of right lung was V shaped whereas the cardiac notch ofleft lung was L shaped. Two deep interlobar fissures, cranial and caudal, were seen on the costal surface of right lung.The left lung had single fissure between apical and diaphragmatic lobes.