Anatomy of the Heart

The heart is obliquely placed in the thorax with its base facing dorsocranially and its apex directed ventrocaudally and to the left side.

The pericardium is the fibroserous envelope of the heart, consisting of the interventricular septum, paraconal and subsinosal interventricular grooves, interatrial septum, and mediastinum. It serves as the heart sac, providing protection and support to the heart.

Blood from the body is received by the right atrium, then flows to the right ventricle, pulmonary arteries, lungs, pulmonary veins, left atrium, left ventricle, and finally back to the body.

<p>The intervenous tubercle is located between the caval openings and the fossa ovalis is a slitlike depression on the medial wall of the atrium. The intervenous tubercle serves as a structural feature, while the fossa ovalis is the remnant of the foramen ovale, which allowed blood to pass through the interatrial septum in the fetus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The right auricle is an extension of the right atrium and is ear-shaped. It aids in increasing the capacity of the atrium to hold blood and assists in the regulation of blood flow.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Fossa ovalis</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Right atrium</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Protecting the heart</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Preventing backflow of blood</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Caudally</p> Signup and view all the answers