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SURFACE ANATOMY OF THE HEART

SURFACE ANATOMY OF THE BORDERS OF THE HEART: It is the location of the heart from the surface of the body. It is represented by a quadrilateral between the following 4 points: 1. Lower border of the left second costal cartilage one and half inches from the middle line 2. Upper border of the right third costal cartilage one inch from the middle line 3. Right sixth costal cartilage one inch from the middle line 4. Left fifth intercostal space 3.5 inches from the middle line. How to locate the borders of the heart? The upper border is represented by a straight line from point 1 to point 2. The right border is represented by a curved line from point 2 the point 3. The lower border is represented by a straight line (passing by the xiphisternal joint) from point 3 to point 4. The left border of the ehart is represented by a curved line from point 4 to point 1. N.B. The surface anatomy of the apex of the heart is the fifth intercostal space 3.5 inches from the middle linei.e. point 4. SURFACE ANATOMY OF THE VALVES OF THE HEART: These valves lie behind the left border of the sternum except the tricuspid valve which lies in the middle line. 1. Pulmonary valve: Behind the left border of the sternum opposite the 3rd costal cartilage. 2. Aortic valve: Behind the left border of the sternum opposite the 3rd intercostal space. 3. Mitral valve: Behind the left border of the sternum opposite the 4th costal cartilage. 4. Tricuspid valve: in the middle line opposite to the 4th intercostal space.

The surface anatomy of the valves is represented in oval shapes, while their areas of auscultation is represented by circular shapes. For example you can hear the mitral valve at the apex of the heart.