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Chambers of the Heart

Chambers of the Heart

The human heart is a complex organ made up of four chambers: the right and left atria and the right and left ventricles. These internal chambers are separated by partitions known as the interatrial and interventricular septa. The exterior of the heart features a groove known as the coronary sulcus that demarcates the atria from the ventricles, while the anterior and posterior interventricular sulci distinguish between the two ventricles.
Deoxygenated blood from the body is received in the right...

Development of the Heart

Development of the Heart

The development of the human heart, a crucial organ, commences from the mesoderm on the 18th or 19th day after fertilization. This process initiates in the cardiogenic area, a group of mesodermal cells at the embryo's head end, which evolves into elongated strands known as cardiogenic cords. These cords undergo a transformation to form hollow-centered endocardial tubes.
As the embryo undergoes lateral folding, these paired tubes approach each other, merging into a single primitive heart tube by...

Anatomy of the Heart

Anatomy of the Heart

The human heart is made up of three layers of tissue that are surrounded by the pericardium, a membrane that protects and confines the heart. The outermost layer, closest to the pericardium, is the epicardium. The pericardial cavity separates the pericardium from the epicardium. Beneath the epicardium is the myocardium, the middle layer, and the endocardium, the innermost layer. There are four chambers of the heart: the right atrium, the right ventricle, the left atrium, and the left ventricle.

Anatomy of the Heart

Anatomy of the Heart

The heart is a hollow, muscular organ approximately the size of a fist, consisting of four chambers. It is enclosed in the pericardium, a fibrous sac with two layers: the visceral and parietal pericardium, separated by a fluid-filled space containing serous fluid to reduce friction.
The heart has three layers: the innermost endocardium, the muscular myocardium, and the outer epicardium, all working together for optimal cardiac function.
Chambers of the Heart
The heart is made up of four...

Location and Orientation of the Heart

Location and Orientation of the Heart

The human heart, despite its modest size and weight, is an organ of remarkable strength and endurance. Roughly the size of a fist, the heart weighs between 250 and 350 grams and is nestled within the mediastinum, the medial cavity of the thorax. It extends obliquely for about 12 to 14 cm, resting on the superior surface of the diaphragm. The heart is positioned anterior to the vertebral column and posterior to the sternum, with two-thirds of its mass lying to the left of the midsternal line.

Layers of the Heart Wall

Layers of the Heart Wall

The heart wall comprises three distinct layers: the epicardium, myocardium, and endocardium. The outermost layer, the epicardium, is the visceral layer of the serous pericardium, featuring a thin, transparent mesothelial surface and an inner layer of areolar connective tissue with fat deposits that increase with age.
The myocardium, the thickest layer, consists of cardiac muscle cells interconnected by intercalated discs and crisscrossing connective tissue fibers. These muscle fibers contract...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

The Isolation and Culture of Primary Epicardial Cells Derived from Human Adult and Fetal Heart Specimens

The Isolation and Culture of Primary Epicardial Cells Derived from Human Adult and Fetal Heart Specimens

Published on: April 24, 2018

Epicardial cyst originating from right ventricle.

Joo Yeon Kim¹, Hyun Jung Koo, Miji Lee

¹Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Korea.

The Korean Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

|April 25, 2013

Summary

Epicardial cysts are exceedingly rare, unlike more common pericardial cysts. This case highlights a successfully removed epicardial cyst with unusual vessel-like wall pathology.

Keywords:

Mediastinal tumor Pericardial cyst

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Epicardial Outgrowth Culture Assay and Ex Vivo Assessment of Epicardial-derived Cell Migration

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Last Updated: May 12, 2026

The Isolation and Culture of Primary Epicardial Cells Derived from Human Adult and Fetal Heart Specimens

The Isolation and Culture of Primary Epicardial Cells Derived from Human Adult and Fetal Heart Specimens

Published on: April 24, 2018

In Vitro Culture of Epicardial Cells From Mouse Embryonic Heart

In Vitro Culture of Epicardial Cells From Mouse Embryonic Heart

Published on: April 27, 2016

Epicardial Outgrowth Culture Assay and Ex Vivo Assessment of Epicardial-derived Cell Migration

Epicardial Outgrowth Culture Assay and Ex Vivo Assessment of Epicardial-derived Cell Migration

Published on: March 18, 2016

Area of Science:

Cardiology
Thoracic Surgery
Pathology

Background:

Pericardial cysts are uncommon findings in clinical practice.
Epicardial cysts are exceptionally rare, with limited documented cases.
Understanding the differential diagnosis of cardiac and pericardial masses is crucial.

Observation:

A case of an incidentally detected epicardial cyst is presented.
The cyst was successfully surgically removed.
Intraoperative and postoperative findings were unremarkable.

Findings:

Pathological examination revealed the epicardial cyst wall exhibited vascular-like features.
This finding is unusual and not typically described for epicardial cysts.
The cyst was confirmed to be of epicardial origin.

Implications:

This case expands the known pathological spectrum of epicardial cysts.
It underscores the importance of thorough pathological examination for rare cardiac and pericardial lesions.
Further research may be warranted to understand the histogenesis of such vascular-like cystic structures.