Scaffolding of the Heart

“Scaffolding of the Heart ” shows the skeleton components and basic infrastructure of the heart.  It is a cross in a position of repose with the apex positioned to the left and down,  just as it is  positioned in the  body.

The atria are posterior, superior and rightward, while the ventricles lie caudally, anteriorly, and to the left.  The crux of the heart is where the horizontal limb meets the vertical limb.  Many structures pass through this region – city central!

The components of the atrial septa and ventricular septa are color coded in this image.  There are three components to the atrial septum; sinus venosus (purple) septum secundum (green) and septum primum (pink).  There are similarly 3 components of the ventricular septum; endocardial cushion component (pink), membranous portion (white) and muscular component (red).

Description

“Scaffolding of the Heart ” shows the skeleton components and basic infrastructure of the heart.  It is a cross in a position of repose with the apex positioned to the left and down,  just as it is  positioned in the  body.

The atria are posterior, superior and rightward, while the ventricles lie caudally, anteriorly, and to the left.  The crux of the heart is where the horizontal limb meets the vertical limb.  Many structures pass through this region – city central!

The components of the atrial septa and ventricular septa are color coded in this image.  There are three components to the atrial septum; sinus venosus (purple) septum secundum (green) and septum primum (pink).  There are similarly 3 components of the ventricular septum; endocardial cushion component (pink), membranous portion (white) and muscular component (red).