Apex of the heart
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Apex of the heart | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Sternocostal surface of heart. (Apex is not labeled, but is visible at bottom right.) | |
 |
|
| Diagram showing relations of opened heart to front of thoracic wall. Ant. Anterior segment of tricuspid valve. A O. Aorta. A.P. Anterior papillary muscle. In. Brachiocephalic artery (Innominate). L.C.C. Left common carotid artery. L.S. Left subclavian artery. L.V. Left ventricle. P.A. Pulmonary artery. R.A. Right atrium. R.V. Right ventricle. V.S. Ventricular septum. |
|
| Latin | apex cordis |
| Gray's | subject #138 527 |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | a_52/12145026 |
The apex of the heart is the lowest superficial part of the heart.
It is directed downward, forward, and to the left, and is overlapped by the left lung and pleura.
[edit] External anatomy
It lies behind the fifth left intercostal space, 8 to 9 cm. from the mid-sternal line, slightly medial to the midclavicular line.
Alternately, it can be found about 4 cm. below and 2 mm. to the medial side of the left mammary papilla.
[edit] External links
- Dictionary at eMedicine Apex+of+heart
- SUNY Labs 20:05-0104 - "Heart: Sternocostal Surface of the Heart"
 |
This cardiovascular system article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.
