Interventricular septum

Interventricular septum is a stout wall separating the lower chambers (the ventricles) of the heart from one another. The interventricular septum is structurally and functionally a part of the heart and plays a crucial role in its functioning.

Anatomy

The interventricular septum is the stout wall that separates the lower chambers of the heart, the ventricles. It is one of the parts of the cardiac septum. The ventricular septum is directed backward and to the right, and is curved with the convexity towards the right ventricle. The lower part of the interventricular septum is thick and muscular, while the upper part, which separates the aortic vestibule from the lower part of the right atrium and upper part of the right ventricle, is thin and fibrous.

Function

The interventricular septum aids in the functioning of the heart by preventing the mixing of blood from both ventricles, which ensures the efficient pumping of blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. It also helps in maintaining the shape and structure of the heart.

Clinical significance

Defects in the interventricular septum, such as Ventricular septal defect (VSD), can lead to several heart conditions. VSD is a hole in the interventricular septum that allows oxygen-rich blood to mix with oxygen-poor blood, resulting in less oxygen being delivered to the body. This can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and heart palpitations.

See also

• Heart
• Ventricles
• Ventricular septal defect

References

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  Internal structure of the heart
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  Heart anatomy
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  Interventricular septum
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  Embryonic development of the heart
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  Heart normal short axis echo