Organ
Left ventricle
Systemic-pressure pump forming the cardiac apex
High-yield
The anterolateral papillary group commonly has more than one arterial source. The posteromedial group often has a single dominant source and is more vulnerable to ischemic rupture.
Overview
The left ventricle receives blood through the mitral valve and ejects it through the aortic valve. Its muscular wall is thicker than the right's, and its inner support apparatus includes two principal papillary-muscle groups joined to the mitral leaflets by chordae.
Reference facts
- Location
- Leftward and posterior ventricular chamber forming the apex and much of the diaphragmatic surface
- Parts
- Mitral inlet, trabeculated cavity with anterolateral and posteromedial papillary groups, and aortic outflow vestibule
- Blood supply
- Left anterior descending and circumflex territories, with inferior supply influenced by the posterior interventricular artery and coronary dominance
- Innervation
- Autonomic regulation through cardiac plexuses
- Relations
- Diaphragm below, right ventricle across the septum, mitral and aortic valves at its base
- Venous/Lymphatic drainage
- Great, middle and posterior left ventricular veins mainly drain through the coronary sinus
- Function
- Generates the pressure needed to eject blood into the systemic arterial circulation
Clinical correlation
Chronic pressure loading can increase ventricular wall thickness, while sustained volume loading can enlarge the chamber. These patterns help describe remodeling but do not by themselves establish its cause.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the left ventricle located?
The left ventricle lies leftward and posterior ventricular chamber forming the apex and much of the diaphragmatic surface.
What does the left ventricle do?
Generates the pressure needed to eject blood into the systemic arterial circulation.
What are the parts of the left ventricle?
The parts of the left ventricle are the mitral inlet, trabeculated cavity with anterolateral and posteromedial papillary groups, and aortic outflow vestibule.
What is the blood supply of the left ventricle?
Left anterior descending and circumflex territories, with inferior supply influenced by the posterior interventricular artery and coronary dominance.