Interatrial septum
Interatrial Septum
The Interatrial Septum (pronunciation: in-ter-AY-tree-al SEP-tum) is a vital structure in the human heart.
Etymology
The term originates from the Latin words 'inter', meaning 'between', and 'atrium', meaning 'entrance hall'. 'Septum' is also Latin, meaning 'partition'. Thus, the Interatrial Septum is the partition between the entrance halls of the heart.
Definition
The Interatrial Septum is the wall of tissue that separates the right and left atria of the heart. It plays a crucial role in directing the flow of blood within the heart and preventing the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.
Anatomy
The Interatrial Septum is primarily composed of fibrous tissue and is located between the two atria. It has an oval-shaped depression known as the fossa ovalis, which is a remnant of the foramen ovale, a hole in the fetal heart that allows blood to bypass the lungs.
Related Terms
- Atria: The two upper chambers of the heart.
- Fossa Ovalis: An oval-shaped depression in the Interatrial Septum.
- Foramen Ovale: A hole in the fetal heart that allows blood to bypass the lungs.
- Septum: A partition separating two chambers, such as that between the nostrils or the chambers of the heart.
Pathology
Defects in the Interatrial Septum, such as Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), can lead to a variety of health issues. ASD is a congenital heart defect where there is a hole in the Interatrial Septum that allows oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix. This can lead to lower-than-normal oxygen levels in the arterial blood that supplies the brain, organs, and tissues.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Interatrial septum
- Wikipedia's article - Interatrial septum
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski