"Linear atelectasis is usually due to a lack of adequate inspiration, and not due to any underlying airway obstruction. They are most commonly seen in post-surgical patients or those with abdominal pain, and may also be observed in the morbidly obese or immobile patients."
Expected headings
"Subsegmental vs linear atelectasis"
"Plain radiograph/CT"
"There is confusion about the use of the terms "subsegmental atelectasis" and "linear atelectasis" (and their synonyms). From an academic point of view, the term linear atelectasis is reserved for atelectasis which appears primarily in the lung bases and is secondary to hypoventilation. Conversely, subsegmental atelectasis includes both linear atelectases and all other forms of atelectasis that do not involve a whole bronchopulmonary segment. In other words, every linear atelectasis is subsegmental atelectasis, but not every subsegmental atelectasis is linear atelectasis."
"Linear atelectases may result in minor linear densities of varying thickness usually parallel to the diaphragm, most commonly at the lung bases or less mobile regions of the lungs (e.g. lingula)."