Understanding the Cardiac Position: Anatomy and Location

Anatomical position of the heart

- lies obliquely in the mediastinum in the thoracic cavity

- it extends to the left and leans a little anteriorly

Boundaries of the heart:

- Superiorly: the base of the heart which lies at the level of the sternal angle (right second costal cartilage) with approximately one third of it extending to the right and the remaining two third extending to the left

- Inferiorly: the apex of the heart which is directed forward downward toward the left. It lies in the intercostal space the fifth intercostal space 8-9cm from the mid-sternal line

- Posteriorly: the pericardium separates the heart from the thoracic vertebrae from T5-T12

- Laterally: the costal pleura, lungs and diaphragm cover the heart