What anatomic term is used to describe the inferior, lateral "corners" of the lungs?

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The term that accurately describes the inferior, lateral "corners" of the lungs is "costophrenic angles." These angles are formed where the diaphragm meets the ribs, and they play a significant role in radiographic imaging, especially in chest X-rays. The costophrenic angles are important landmarks because they can help healthcare professionals assess for fluid accumulation (pleural effusions) in the pleural space, which may not be visible in other areas of the X-ray.

Understanding these angles is vital for interpreting chest radiographs, as they indicate the health of the pleural cavity and lung bases. Other options relate to different anatomical features of the lungs: "apices" refer to the superior portions of the lungs, "lobules" denote small subdivisions of lung tissue, and "bases" describe the bottom portions of the lungs that rest on the diaphragm. However, none of these terms specifically address the inferior, lateral corners as effectively as costophrenic angles do.

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