Chest X Ray Kerley B Lines |link| Jun 2026

Here’s a detailed write-up on , suitable for a radiology reference, clinical primer, or study note.

Septal lines in lung | Radiology Reference Article - Radiopaedia chest x ray kerley b lines

Kerley B lines are short, horizontal linear opacities seen on a chest X-ray that indicate . First described by Dr. Peter Kerley in 1933, these lines are a hallmark radiographic sign used to identify fluid accumulation or thickening within the lung's interlobular septa. Radiographic Appearance Here’s a detailed write-up on , suitable for

On a chest radiograph, Kerley B lines have distinct characteristics that differentiate them from normal lung structures: Peter Kerley in 1933, these lines are a

To understand the significance of Kerley B lines, one must first visualize the normal anatomy of the lung. The lung is composed of air sacs (alveoli) surrounded by a delicate framework of tissue known as the interstitium. This interstitial space contains connective tissue and lymphatic vessels, which typically function to drain excess fluid away from the alveoli to the hilar lymph nodes. On a healthy chest X-ray, this interstitial network is not visible; the lungs appear radiolucent (dark) due to the presence of air. However, when pathological processes alter the pressure gradients or the integrity of these tissues, the interstitium becomes visible. Kerley B lines arise specifically from the thickening of the interlobular septa—the connective tissue walls that separate the secondary lobules of the lung.

Septal lines in lung | Radiology Reference Article - Radiopaedia