Left border of heart

Left border of heart

The left border of the heart is an anatomical feature of the heart that is primarily formed by the left ventricle and a small portion of the left atrium. It is an important landmark in cardiac anatomy and is often evaluated in various medical imaging techniques such as chest X-ray and echocardiography.

Anatomy

The left border of the heart extends from the left atrium superiorly to the left ventricle inferiorly. It is situated adjacent to the left lung and is separated from it by the pericardium. The left border is more rounded compared to the right border of the heart, which is formed by the right atrium.

Clinical Significance

The left border of the heart is a critical area assessed in the diagnosis of various cardiovascular diseases. Enlargement of the left border can indicate conditions such as left ventricular hypertrophy, mitral valve disease, or aortic valve disease. It is also a key landmark in the evaluation of cardiomegaly.

Imaging

In a chest X-ray, the left border of the heart is visible as the leftmost contour of the cardiac silhouette. It is important for radiologists to assess this border for any deviations from the normal anatomy, which can indicate underlying pathology. In echocardiography, the left border is evaluated to assess the function and structure of the left ventricle and left atrium.

Related Structures

• Right border of the heart
• Apex of the heart
• Base of the heart
• Cardiac silhouette
• Pericardium
• Left lung

See Also

• Cardiac anatomy
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Medical imaging