The costophrenic angles are formed by the points at which the chest wall and diaphragm meet.
The costophrenic recesses contain the lower edges of the lungs which contact the diaphragm.
Chest X-ray Anatomy
Costophrenic recesses and angles
Key points
- The costophrenic angles are limited views of the costophrenic recess
- On a frontal view the costophrenic angles should be sharp
Costophrenic recesses and angles
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Costophrenic recesses and angles
- The costophrenic recesses are seen on each side as the costophrenic angles
- The costophrenic angles are formed by the lateral chest wall and the dome of each hemidiaphragm
Costophrenic recesses and angles - lateral view
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Costophrenic recesses and angles - lateral view
- On a lateral view the costophrenic recesses are seen in the region of the anterior and posterior costophrenic angles formed by the chest wall and the dome of each hemidiaphragm.
Assessing the costophrenic angles
On a frontal chest X-ray the costophrenic angles should form acute angles which are sharp to a point.
Costophrenic "blunting" is often due to the presence of a pleural effusion, but it can also be related to other pleural disease or lung disease.
Lung hyperexpansion can also lead to blunting of the costophrenic angles. This is because the domes of the diaphragm are pushed downwards and so the angle becomes rounded.