Heart Anatomy Position

Blood provides the body with oxygen and nutrients as well as assisting in the removal of metabolic wastes. Besides lubrication the pericardium serves to hold the heart in position and maintain a hollow space for the heart to expand into when it is full.

Heart Position Anatomy Woman Isolated Stock Photo

The heart and the circulatory system together form the cardiovascular system.

Heart anatomy position. An overall view is given in figure 61 williams and warwick 1989. The heart is a muscular organ about the size of a fist located just behind and slightly left of the breastbone. The esophagus and the spine lie further behind the heart.

The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Commonly the right atrium and ventricle a. In humans other mammals and birds the heart is divided into four chambers.

The heart is located underneath the sternum in a thoracic compartment called the mediastinum which occupies the space between the lungs. The heart pumps blood through the network of arteries and veins called the. Located above the heart are the great vessels.

Upper left and right atria and lower left and right ventricles. The pericardium has 2 layersa visceral layer that covers the outside of the heart and a parietal layer that forms a sac around the outside of the pericardial cavity. In humans the heart is located between the lungs in the middle compartment of the chest.

The heart is a muscular organ in most animals which pumps blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system. The position of the heart in the torso between the vertebrae and sternum see the image above for the position of the heart within the thorax allows for individuals to apply an emergency technique known as cardiopulmonary resuscitation cpr if the heart of a patient should stop. It rests on the superior surface of the diaphragm lies posterior to the sternum and anterior to the vertebral column.

The aortic arch lies behind the heart. Enclosed within the mediastinum the medial cavity of the thorax the heart extends obliquely from the second rib to the fifth intercostal space. The superior and inferior vena cava the pulmonary artery and vein as well as the aorta.

Size location and orientation the heart is around the size of a fist and weighs between 250 350 grams less than a pound. It is approximately the size of a mans fist 230 350 grams and is shaped like an inverted cone. This amazing muscle produces electrical impulses that cause the heart to contract pumping blood throughout the body.

Location of the heart in the thorax. The sternum and mediastinum. The heart is situated within the chest cavity and surrounded by a fluid filled sac called the pericardium.

Cardiac Function Basicmedical Key