Heart location and projection, X-ray, auscultation heart points
Heart Location and Projection[edit | edit source]
The heart is located in the mediastinum, the central compartment of the thoracic cavity, between the lungs. It is positioned slightly to the left of the midline and rests on the diaphragm. The heart's apex points downward, forward, and to the left, while the base faces upward, backward, and to the right.
Surface Projections:[edit | edit source]
- Superior Border: Extends from the inferior border of the second left costal cartilage to the superior border of the third right costal cartilage.
- Right Border: Extends from the third right costal cartilage to the sixth right costal cartilage.
- Inferior Border: Extends from the sixth right costal cartilage to the fifth left intercostal space at the midclavicular line.
- Left Border: Extends from the fifth left intercostal space at the midclavicular line to the inferior border of the second left costal cartilage.
These projections are essential for clinical practices such as auscultation and radiographic imaging.
X-ray image of the heart[edit | edit source]
Chest X-rays are a common imaging technique used to visualize the heart and lungs. There are two main projections used in chest X-rays:
- Posterior-Anterior (PA) Projection: The standard projection where the X-ray beam passes from the posterior to the anterior of the patient. This view provides a more accurate assessment of heart size and is preferred for evaluating cardiac structures.
- Anterior-Posterior (AP) Projection: Used when patients are unable to stand. The X-ray beam passes from the anterior to the posterior of the patient. This view can exaggerate heart size due to magnification effects.
Key Points:
- PA Projection: Provides a true representation of heart size and is viewed as if looking at the patient face-to-face.
- AP Projection: Can exaggerate heart size due to the heart being farther from the detector and the divergent X-ray beam.
Auscultation Heart Points[edit | edit source]
Auscultation involves listening to heart sounds using a stethoscope at specific points on the chest. These points correspond to the locations of the heart valves and are crucial for diagnosing heart conditions.
- Aortic Area: Right second intercostal space, near the sternum. Best for hearing the aortic valve.
- Pulmonic Area: Left second intercostal space, near the sternum. Best for hearing the pulmonic valve.
- Erb's Point: Left third intercostal space, near the sternum. Useful for hearing both S1 and S2 heart sounds.
- Tricuspid Area: Lower left sternal border, fourth intercostal space. Best for hearing the tricuspid valve.
- Mitral Area: Left fifth intercostal space, midclavicular line. Best for hearing the mitral valve.
References
Surface projections of the heart: Borders and landmarks - Kenhub https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/surface-projections-of-the-heart
Chest X-ray Quality - Projection - Radiology Masterclasshttps://www.radiologymasterclass.co.uk/tutorials/chest/chest_quality/chest_xray_quality_projection
Auscultation: Definition, Purpose & Procedure - Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/23080-auscultation
