Thoracentesis
| Lower border of pleura | Midclavicular line | Midaxillary line | Paravertebral line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lungs (& visceral pleura) | 6th rib | 8th rib | 10th rib |
| Parietal pleura | 8th rib | 10th rib Right - upper border Left - lower border |
12th rib |
| Thoracentesis is typically performed between the 6th and 8th ribs along the midclavicular line, the 8th and 10th ribs along the midaxillary line (above image), and the 10th and 12th ribs along the paravertebral line. |