Lung pain is typically felt in the chest or upper back area, but because the lungs themselves have very few pain receptors, the pain usually originates from the lining of the lungs (pleura), surrounding muscles, ribs, or nearby structures.
Where Lung Pain is Felt
- Chest area: Pain is often felt in the center or left side of the chest and may worsen with exertion or deep breathing. It can sometimes radiate to the neck, jaw, or shoulder
- Upper to mid back: Lung-related pain can also be felt as discomfort or a heavy pressure in the upper to mid back, near the shoulder blades or along the rib cage
- Localized to one side: If the pain is on one side of the chest or back, it may indicate an issue with that specific lung or its surrounding structures
Why Lung Pain Occurs
- The lungs themselves have few pain receptors; pain usually comes from the pleura (lung lining), which can become inflamed (pleurisy) or injured
- Other causes include infections (pneumonia, tuberculosis), asthma, pulmonary embolism, or lung cancer, which can cause chest or back pain due to irritation or invasion of tissues
- Pain may worsen with breathing, coughing, or movement due to involvement of the pleura or chest wall
In summary, lung pain is generally felt in the chest or upper back areas, often on one side, and is related to inflammation or injury of the lung lining or surrounding tissues rather than the lung tissue itself
