Normal hilar position (mnemonic)

Last revised by Abenezer Zinaye on 30 Nov 2022

A mnemonic to remember the normal position of the lung hila and pulmonary arteries is:

  • RALPH

Mnemonic

  • Right Anterior, Left Posterior and Higher

The left hilum is commonly higher than the right. The left pulmonary artery arches posterosuperiorly over the left mainstem bronchus, whereas the right pulmonary artery courses anterior to the right mainstem bronchus.

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