The left lung, unlike the right does not have a middle lobe. However the term lingula is used to denote a projection of the upper lobe of the left lung that serves as the homologue. This area of the left lobe - the lingula, means little tongue (in Latin) and is often referred to as the tongue in the lung.

What lobe is the lingula on?

The term lingula refers to the tip or tongue-like projection of the upper lobe of the left lung but in general it is considered also to be the entire portion of this segment which is supplied by the first segmental bronchus that arises from the upper lobe bronchus.

What's the lingula?

Medical Definition of lingula

: a tongue-shaped process or part: as. a : a ridge of bone in the angle between the body and the greater wing of the sphenoid. b : an elongated prominence of the superior vermis of the cerebellum. c : a dependent projection of the upper lobe of the left lung.