The medial surfaces of both lungs contact not only with the heart but also several other anatomical structures located within and going through the mediastinum. The sites where the lungs connect with the other anatomical structures can be recognized as various impressions or grooves.

Each lung contains:

Cardiac impression - a depression that accommodates the heart; located on the anterior aspect of the medial surface;
Groove for the subclavian artery - situated on the upper aspect (apex) of the superior lobe;
Groove for the brachiocephalic vein - goes adjacent and anterior to the previous groove;
Groove for the esophagus - located on the posterior aspect of the mediastinal part; it extends from the superior portion of the inferior lobe to the base of the lung.

The grooves of the right lung are as follows:

Groove for the azygos vein - passes over the pulmonary hilum of the right lung;
Groove for the inferior vena cava - situated on the posteroinferior aspect of the medial surface, close to the right lung base;
Groove for the superior vena cava - goes from the cardiac impression to the groove for the azygos vein.

The left lung presents with the following grooves:

Groove for the aortic arch - arches above the left pulmonary hilum;
Groove for the descending aorta - goes downward from the previous groove to the base of the left lung.

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Impressions and grooves of medial surfaces