Topographic and Applied Anatomy of the Heart

T the topographic and applied anatomy of the heart is essential for understanding both the normal and pathological conditions that can affect cardiac function. Through this presentation, we have explored the intricate anatomy of the heart, including its chambers, borders, surfaces, and internal structures, providing a comprehensive understanding of its complex design. The detailed examination of each component highlights the heart's critical role in the circulatory system and its unique adaptations that facilitate its function as a powerful and efficient pump.

Moreover, the applied anatomy section underscores the importance of anatomical knowledge in clinical practice. Understanding conditions such as dextrocardia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and myocardial fibrosis allows for better diagnosis, treatment, and management of these cardiac anomalies. This integration of anatomical and clinical insights is crucial for medical professionals to develop effective therapeutic strategies and improve patient outcomes. Ultimately, a profound grasp of the heart's anatomy not only enhances our knowledge of human biology but also significantly contributes to advancements in medical care and cardiac health.

1. Topographic and
Applied Anatomy
of the Heart
Presented by: Ebere, Uchenna Emmanuel
Course code: ANA 801

2. Table of Content
01.
04.
02.
05.
03.
Introduction External
Features
Applied
Anatomy
Conclusion References

3. Introduction
01

4. Introduction
The heartis a conical hollow muscular organ situated in the middle mediastinum of the thorax
and it is positioned obliquely posterior to the body of the sternum and costal cartilages within
the pericardial sac.
The heart measures 12 cm inlength, 9 cm inwidth, and 6cm inthickness. It weighs about
300g in males and 250g in females.
© Frank Netter‘s Atlas of Human Anatomy

5. Introduction (Cont‘d)
The heart pumps blood to various parts of the body. The right side of the heart receives poorly oxygenated
blood from the body through the SVC & IVC and pumps to the lungs for oxygenation through the pulmonary
trunk.
The left side receives well-oxygenated blood from the lungs through the 4 pulmonary veins* and pumps into
the aorta for distribution to the body. It is physiologically separated into a pair of muscular pumps (the right &
left parts) with valves which work in unison to propel blood to all parts of the body.
The pulmonary veins include:
-Left superior and left inferior pulmonary veins
-Right superior and inferior pulmonary veins

6. External Features of the
Heart
02

7. External Features of the Heart
The human heart has four chambers, four borders, three surfaces, three grooves, an apex,
and a base.
▪The chambersinclude: 2 atria (left and right) and 2 ventricles (left and right).
▪The borders include: Upper border, right border, inferior border, and left border.
▪The surfacesinclude: Sternocostal (anterior) surface, diaphragmatic (inferior), and left
surface.
▪The grooves include: Coronary sulcus, anterior, and posterior interventricular sulci.
▪The apex: The apex is directed downwards, forwards, and to the left. It is located at the
bottom of the right ventricular chamber inferior to the flow from the tricuspid valve.
▪The base (posterior surface): The anatomical base of the heart is formed mainly by the left
atrium receiving the pulmonary veins, and to a small extent, by the posterior part of the right
atrium.

8. Diaphragmatic Surface of the Heart
© Frank Netter‘s Atlas of Human Anatomy

9. Left Surface of the Heart
© Frank Netter‘s Atlas of Human Anatomy

10. Borders and Margins of the Heart
1)Upper border: This is the atrial borderand it is formed mainly by the left atrium. Anterior to the upper
border are the ascending and descending aorta and the pulmonary trunk.
2)Right border: This is the ventral borderand it is formed by the right atrium which is continuous superiorly
with the superior vena cava and inferiorly, by the inferior vena cava.
3)Inferior (acute) border: It is the horizontal border and it extends from the lower limit of the right border to
the apex of the heart.
4)Left (obtuse) border: This border descends obliquely from the auricle of the left atriumto the cardiac
apex. It is formed mainly by the left ventricle. The left border separates the sternocostal surface from the
left surface.

11. Chambers of the Heart
The heat has 4 chambers. These chambers are: 2 atria (right & left) & 2 ventricles (right & left) which are
externallydemarcated by visible grooves or sulci but internally separated by a septa.
▪Theatria lie above and behind the ventricles. The atria are the receiving chambers that pump blood into the
respective ventricles.
▪The ventricles are the discharging chambers of the heart.

12. Right Atrium
It is the right upper chamber of the heart.
▪Receives venous blood from the SVC, IVC & coronary sinus, pumps it to
the right ventricle through right atrioventricular orifice.
▪It forms the right border, the sternocostal surface and the base of the
heart.
▪Its external surface has right auricle, Sulcus terminalis, Crista terminalis.
▪Its internal features include sinus venarum, interatrial septum.
▪The tributaries of right atrium include:
•Superior vena cava
•Inferior vena cava
•Coronary sinus
•Anterior cardiac veins
•Thebesian veins

13. Right Atrium-Image
© Frank Netter‘s Atlas of Human Anatomy

14. Left Atrium
Theleftatriumforms most of the posterior border (base) of the heart. It
receives oxygenated blood from the four pulmonary veins, and pumps it
through the left atrioventricular orifice (guarded by the mitral valve) into the
left ventricle.
The left atrium has a thicker myocardial wall when compared to the right
atrium. Anteriorly, is the left auricle that is lined by pectinate muscles, and is
derived from the embryonic atrium.
The tributaries of left atrium include:
▪The left atrium receives blood from the pulmonary veins. Its internal
surface is smooth and it is derived from the pulmonary veins themselves

15. Left Atrium -Image
© Frank Netter‘s Atlas of Human Anatomy

16. Right Ventricle
The right ventricle receives deoxygenated blood from the right atrium
through the right atrioventricular or tricuspid orifice, and pumps it through
the pulmonary orifice (guarded by the pulmonary valve), into the pulmonary
artery.
The right ventricle is triangular in shape, and forms the majority of the anterior
border of the heart.

17. Right Ventricle -Image
© Frank Netter‘s Atlas of Human Anatomy

18. Left Ventricle
The left ventricle receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium, and pumps
it through the aortic orifice (guarded by the aortic valve) into the aorta.
The walls of the left ventricle are three times as thickas the right ventricle.
The left ventricle forms the apex of the heart, as well as the left and
diaphragmatic borders.
▪It is roughly conical in shape.
▪The base of the left ventricle begins at the left atrioventricular valve and
continues towards the apex of the heart.

19. Left Ventricle -Image
© Frank Netter‘s Atlas of Human Anatomy

20. Applied Anatomy of
the Heart
03

21. Applied Anatomy of the Heart
1.Dextrocardia: Dextrocardia is a rare congenital medical condition in
which the heart is in an abnormal position in the chest (right side).
Dextrocardia occurs in about 1 in 12,000 pregnancies.
2.Hypertrophic cardiotnyopathy:This condition is caused by a familial
autosomal dominant trait resulting in marked hypertrophy of the
myocardium and a disproportionate greater thickening of the
interventricular septum. This hypertrophied septum can cause
narrowing of the sub aortic area due to its opposition to the anterior
mitral leaflet resulting in left ventricular outflow obstruction during
mid-systole.

22. Applied Anatomy–Cont‘d
1.Restrictive cardiomyopathy: This is characterized by abnormally rigid
ventricles that impair diastolic heart filling but the heart retains a
normal size and a normal systolic function. A reduced ventricular
compliance due to fibrosis or infiltration results in an abnormal high
diastolic pressure leading to high systemic and pulmonary venous
pressures.
2.Myocardial fibrosis:Myocardial fibrosis is caused by scarring or
infiltration caused by amyloidosis or sarcoidosis; non infiltrative
myocardial fibrosis is caused by scleroderma. Other storage diseases
such as glycogen storage disease or hemochromatosis may cause this
condition.

23. Applied Anatomy –Cont‘d
1.Endomyocardial fibrosis: Endomyocardial fibrosis is caused by
scarring or infiltration caused by hypereosinophilicsyndromeand
radiation therapy; metastatic tumors may also be considered as other
causes.
2.Aortic stenosis: This condition may result from congenital lesions,
such as bicuspid aortic valve, rheumatic heart disease, and calcified
aortic valve.
3.Aortic regurgitation: This condition may be a result of rheumatic
heart disease, endocarditis, valvular congenital structural heart
defects, syphilis, or aneurysms. Aortic valve defects may be seen
clinically presenting with signs or symptoms of congestive heart
failure, angina, syncope, or decreases in exercise tolerance.

24. Conclusion
06

25. Conclusion
The heart plays a significant role in sustaining life function through the circulatory
system.
The topographic anatomy of the heart plays an important role in understanding the
normal and pathological conditions that can affect cardiac function.

26. References
07

27. References
● Applied Anatomy of the Heart and Great Vessels | Mayo Clinic Cardiology: Concise Textbook | Oxford Academic.
(n.d.). https://academic.oup.com/book/25195/chapter-abstract/189603802?redirectedFrom=fulltext
● Chaurasia, B. D. (2019). BD Chaurasia’sHuman Anatomy, Volume 1: Regional and Applied Dissection and
Clinical: Upper Limb and Thorax. CBS Publishers & Distributors Pvt Limited, India.
● Netter, F. H. (2017). Atlas of Human Anatomy E-Book: Digital eBook. Elsevier Health Sciences.
● Faaaai, P. B. M. (n.d.). Medscape Registration. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1948510-
overview?form=fpf#a4
● Spittell, P. C. (2012). Peripheral vascular disease. In Oxford University Press eBooks(pp. 446–454).
https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780199915712.003.0885

28. Thank You For Listening!