The Postural Position for Draining a Lung Segment

Postural drainage of a lung segment can be achieved by positioning the patient so that gravity can aid clearance of secretions.

Lung Segment	Position
right upper lobe, apical anterior	1
right upper lobe, apical posterior	2
right upper lobe, posterior	4
right upper lobe, anterior	3
right middle lobe, lateral	6
right middle lobe, medial	6
right lower lobe, superior	12
right lower lobe, medial basal	? 10 or 11
right lower lobe, anterior basal	8
right lower lobe, lateral basal	9
right lower lobe, posterior basal	11
left upper lobe, apical posterior, apical anterior	1
left upper lobe, apical posterior, apical posterior	2
left upper lobe, apical posterior, posterior	5
left upper lobe, anterior	3
left upper lobe, lingula	7
left lower lobe, superior	12
left lower lobe, anterior basal	9
left lower lobe, lateral basal	10
left lower lobe, posterior basal	11

Position	Face	Trunk	Leg	Foot of Bed	Pillow
1	face up	on back, 45° to horizontal	together	horizontal	under knee
2	face up	bent forward at waist	together	horizontal	under knee
3	face up	flat on back	together	horizontal	under knee
4	left ear down	on left side at 45° to horizontal	right leg flexed up	horizontal	by chest
5	right ear down	on right side at 45° to horizontal	left leg flexed up	horizontal	by chest
6	face up	flat on back	together	up 12 inches	under right side of back
7	face up	flat on back	together	up 12 inches	under left side of back
8	face up	flat on back	together	up 18 inches	under knee
9	left ear down	on left side	together	up 18 inches	by right chest
10	right ear down	on right side	together	up 18 inches	by left chest
11	face down	on stomach	together	up 18 inches	under stomach and ankles
12	face down	on stomach	together	horizontal	under stomach and ankles

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