Septum verum

Septum Verum

The Septum Verum (also known as the True Septum) is a structure found in the human heart. It is a part of the cardiac anatomy that separates the left and right sides of the heart, preventing the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.

Diagram of the human heart, with the Septum Verum indicated

Structure

The Septum Verum is composed of two parts: the Muscular interventricular septum and the Membranous interventricular septum. The muscular part is the larger of the two and is formed during the embryonic development of the heart. The membranous part is smaller and completes the separation between the left and right ventricles.

Function

The primary function of the Septum Verum is to separate the left ventricle and the right ventricle of the heart. This separation allows the heart to pump oxygenated blood from the left side to the rest of the body, and deoxygenated blood from the right side to the lungs for oxygenation.

Clinical significance

Defects in the Septum Verum can lead to several heart conditions, such as Ventricular septal defect (VSD) and Atrial septal defect (ASD). These conditions can cause a variety of symptoms, including shortness of breath, fatigue, and heart palpitations. Treatment options for septal defects include medication, cardiac catheterization, and surgery.

See also

• Heart
• Cardiac anatomy
• Ventricular septal defect
• Atrial septal defect

External links

• MedlinePlus: Ventricular Septal Defect
• MedlinePlus: Atrial Septal Defect