Heart Orientation
Attitudinally Correct Heart Anatomy
Welcome to our series on understanding the heart’s anatomy! Before we dive into the complex structures and functions, let’s clarify a common misconception regarding the heart’s orientation within the body.
Valentine’s Position
Most illustrations depict the heart with its apex pointing downwards, a position that is not anatomically accurate when considering the body’s actual structure. This traditional representation, often referred to as the “Valentine’s Position,” resembles how hearts are examined in autopsy rooms rather than their natural positioning in the chest. Correcting this misconception is vital for accurately understanding heart anatomy.
Attitudinally Correct
Now, looking at how the heart is positioned in situ, which means in its natural position within the body, we see it sits on the diaphragm, pointing not downwards but
- forward,
- downward,
- and towards the left,
- while the base faces backwards.
This orientation is critical for medical assessments, especially when understanding heart anatomy for ECG interpretation.