Heart - External Features
Notes
Base of heart
Located posteriorly, widest part of heart
Apex of heart
Located inferiorly, narrowest part of heart, points towards left side of body
4 Chambers of the heart:
Left and Right Atria, superiorly
- Auricles are ear-like extensions of the atria; expand to accommodate blood flow
- Superior and inferior vena cavae return blood to right atrium
- Pulmonary veins return blood to left atrium
Left and Right Ventricles, inferiorly
- Anterior and posterior interventricular sulci separate right from left
- Aorta carries blood away from left ventricle
- Pulmonary trunk carries blood away from right ventricle
Coronary sulcus (aka, atrioventricular groove)
Groove between the atria and ventricles where coronary vessels travel.