The Heart and Its Side

The heart, as we all know, is one of the most important organs of the human body. When we think of the heart, we typically think of its location in the center of the chest, but the question many of us forget to consider is: What side is the heart on?

The Anatomy of the Heart

The heart is actually composed of four chambers: two atria, or receiving chambers, located at the top of the heart, and two ventricles, or pumping chambers, located in the center and bottom of the heart. Despite its shape, the reason the heart is commonly thought to be located in the center of the chest is due to its position between the left and right lungs. Typically, the left side of the heart is larger than the right, with both sides enlarged and curved backward on their ventricular sides.

Left vs. Right Sidedness

This left-sidedness of the heart is significant because there are certain veins and arteries that enter into the organ with varying degrees of pressure. The pulmonary veins deliver oxygenated blood from the lungs, while the aorta carries unoxygenated blood to the rest of the body. Additionally, there are certain diseases that specifically affect the left side of the heart, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an inherited disorder of the heart muscle.

In Summary

In conclusion, the heart is located between the two lungs in the center of the chest and is composed of four chambers, two atria, and two ventricles. The left side of the heart is larger than the right and is more prone to certain diseases, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Thus, if you ever find yourself wondering, “What side is the heart on?”, remember that the answer is the left.