Heterogeneous ground-glass nodules and mixed ground-glass nodules differ in terms of imaging presentation and nature. A pulmonary nodule is a round-like lung lesion ≤3 cm found on chest CT, and a ground glass nodule is a focal cloudy slightly dense shadow. Milled glass nodules can be categorized into pure milled glass nodules and mixed milled glass nodules according to their composition. Mixed ground-glass nodules refer to both solid and ground-glass components, and mixed grinding includes partially solid nodules and heterogeneous ground-glass nodules. A partially solid nodule is one in which a solid component is seen in both the lung and mediastinal windows of chest CT, whereas a heterogeneous ground-glass nodule is one in which a solid component can be seen only in the lung window and no solid component is seen under the mediastinal window. The proportion of heterogeneous ground-glass nodules characterized by microinvasive adenocarcinoma and carcinoma in situ was higher than that of overall mixed ground-glass nodules, whereas the proportion of invasive adenocarcinoma was lower. However, there was no significant difference in overall survival between heterogeneous and mixed ground-glass nodules. Prompt consultation with a specialist is recommended for initial evaluation of possible etiology based on nodule composition, size, and morphology, and for further investigation and treatment as prescribed.