It measures approximately 5 cm (2.0 in) vertically and extends from the eighth to the tenth rib along the mid-axillary line.

Pleural effusions collect in the costodiaphragmatic recess when in standing position,[2] and present on plain X-rays as "blunting" of the costophrenic angle.

A thoracocentesis (pleural tap) is often performed here while a patient is in full expiration because of less risk of puncturing the lungs and thereby causing pneumothorax.

Larger pleural effusions opacify portions of the hemithorax and may cause mediastinal shift; effusions > 4 L may cause complete opacification of the hemithorax and mediastinal shift to the contralateral side.

[citation needed] This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)