Anatomy of the cardiac chambers: A review of the left ventricle

Abstract

Background: The left ventricle is built to carry out its function as a powerful pump. To detail recent findings of anatomical variants associated with the left ventricular compartment, we will first review the external and general features, followed by the internal features and subsequently, the standard variants that can exist within this chamber of the heart. Methods: This literature review seeks to collate and discuss peer-reviewed articles on the anatomy of the left ventricle. Results: The left ventricle has many unique features including walls that are thicker than those of the right ventricle, an overlap of its inlet and outlet portions, and the hinge of the leaflets of the mitral valve that are oriented cranially relative to those of the tricuspid valve. Conclusion: While the left ventricle shares many characteristics with that of the right ventricle, the unique features may contribute to cardiac pathology and can also be used to the surgeon's advantage in treating disease.

Keywords

• Left ventricle
• Anatomy
• Mitral valve
• Aortic valve
• Papillary muscles