Lobes of the lungs most likely to be affected by aspiration include: Upright: The lower lobes (Right>Left) Supine: Superior segments of the lower lobes (Right>Left) or posterior segment of the RIGHT upper lobe. This is typically in patients with altered LoC (i.e Alcoholics, Intubated patients etc.). REFERENCES:

Aspiration pneumonia is an infectious pulmonary condition triggered by entering bacteria-rich oropharyngeal fluids into the lower respiratory tract. The aspirated fluid may contain oropharyngeal secretions, particulate matter, or gastric content.

Findings on chest x-ray supportive of aspiration pneumonia include localized consolidation depending on the patient's position when the aspiration occurred. [18] For example, people that are supine when they aspirate often develop consolidation in the right lower lobe of the lung. [ 18 ]

What is aspiration pneumonia? Aspiration pneumonia is a bacterial infection in your lungs. It can happen when you aspirate, or inhale, something other than air into your respiratory tract. This can be food, liquid, saliva, stomach acid, vomit or even a small foreign object.

The posterior segment of the upper lobes and the superior segment of the lower lobes are the most commonly involved lung sites when aspiration occurs in a recumbent patient. In an erect patient, aspiration is more likely to involve bilateral basal segments, middle lobe, and lingula 2.