Costodiaphragmatic recess

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Costodiaphragmatic recess
Costodiaphragmatic recess.jpg
Chest X-ray of a 30-year-old healthy man, with the costodiaphragmatic recess label in red ellipse
Front view of thorax, showing the relations of the pleurae and lungs to the chest wall
(pleura in blue and lungs in purple)
Latin Recessus costodiaphragmaticus
TA A07.1.02.013
FMA FMA:11355
Anatomical terminology

The costodiaphragmatic recess (or phrenicocostal sinus[1]) is a potential space in the pleural cavity, at the posteriormost tips of the cavity, located at the junction of the costal pleura and diaphragmatic pleura. It measures approximately 5 cm vertically, and extends from the eighth to the tenth rib along the mid-axillary line.


The lungs expand into this recess during forced inspiration, however the recess never fills completely. During expiration, it contains no lung tissue, only pleural fluid.

Clinical significance[edit]

Pleural effusions collect in the costodiaphragmatic recess when in standing position.[2]

A thoracocentesis (pleural tap) is often performed here while a patient is in full expiration because of less risk of puncturing the lungs and thereby causing pneumothorax.[2]


Comparison between a normal costophrenic angle on the patient's right, and an obscured costophrenic angle (circled) on the patient's left, due to pneumonia with parapneumonic effusion.


Each costophrenic angle can normally be seen as on chest x-ray as a sharply-pointed, downward indentation (dark) between each hemi-diaphragm (white) and the adjacent chest wall (white). A small portion of each lung normally reaches into the costophrenic angle. The normal angle usually measures thirty degrees.

Pleural effusion[edit]

With pleural effusion, fluid often builds up in the costophrenic angle (due to gravity). This can push the lung upwards, resulting in "blunting" of the costophrenic angle. The posterior angle is the deepest. Obtuse angulation is sign of disease.


See also[edit]



External links[edit]