HESI (Health and Environmental Sciences Institute) Health Assessment Practice Test

The correct answer is related to the anatomical positioning of the organs within the thoracic cavity. The right lung is shorter than the left lung primarily due to the presence of the underlying liver, which occupies a significant portion of the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. The liver's size and position push the base of the right lung upward, resulting in a shorter vertical height compared to the left lung, which is not similarly limited because it has the space to extend downward further due to the left atrium of the heart being positioned slightly more medially and posteriorly. Understanding this anatomical relationship is essential for comprehending lung function and capacity, as well as for making clinical assessments during respiratory examinations.