Organ
Right ventricle
Anterior ventricle supplying the lungs
High-yield
The moderator band connects the septal region to the anterior papillary muscle and carries right-sided conduction tissue. Together with coarse trabeculation, it helps identify a morphological right ventricle.
Overview
This ventricle lies mostly in front of the left ventricle. Its interior includes a tricuspid inlet, a trabeculated apical region and a smoother outlet toward the pulmonary valve. Its wall is thinner than the left ventricular wall under normal loading.
Reference facts
- Location
- Mainly anterior cardiac chamber behind the sternum, contributing to the inferior border
- Parts
- Tricuspid inlet and support apparatus, trabeculated apical component and smooth infundibular outlet
- Blood supply
- Predominantly right coronary branches, with left anterior descending contributions to the anterior septal region
- Innervation
- Autonomic regulation through cardiac plexuses
- Relations
- Sternum anteriorly, left ventricle across the septum, pulmonary trunk at the outlet
- Venous/Lymphatic drainage
- Anterior cardiac veins may reach the right atrium directly; other veins join the coronary sinus system
- Function
- Pumps venous blood into the pulmonary trunk at lower pressure than the normal systemic circuit
Clinical correlation
A rise in pulmonary vascular resistance increases the load on the right ventricle. It may initially adapt, then dilate or fail if the burden exceeds its capacity; dilation is not the only possible response.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the right ventricle located?
Mainly anterior cardiac chamber behind the sternum, contributing to the inferior border.
What does the right ventricle do?
Pumps venous blood into the pulmonary trunk at lower pressure than the normal systemic circuit.
What are the parts of the right ventricle?
The parts of the right ventricle are the tricuspid inlet and support apparatus, trabeculated apical component and smooth infundibular outlet.
What is the blood supply of the right ventricle?
Predominantly right coronary branches, with left anterior descending contributions to the anterior septal region.