Sternocostal/anterior su rface
2l3rd 1/3rd
lnterventricular septum
Anterior interventricular groove
Aortic orifice
Left ventricle
Anterior papillary muscle
Mitral orifice
Posterior papillary muscle
Posterior interventricular groove
1l3rd 2l3rd
Diaphragmatic/inferior s u rface
Fig. 18.15: Schematic transverse section through the ventricles of the heart showing the atrioventricular orifices, papillary muscles,
and the pulmonary and aortic orifices
is the largest (Fig. 78.12). The posterior or inferior
muscle is small and irregular. The septal muscle is
divided into a number of little nipples. Each
papillary muscle is attached by chordae tendinae
to the contiguous sides of two cusps (Fig. 18.13).
The septomarginal trabecula or moderator band is
a muscular ridge extending from the ventricular
septum to the base of the anterior papillary muscle.
It contains the right branch of the AV bundle
(Figs 18.12 and L8.14).
The cavity of the right ventricle is crescentic in section
because of the forward bulge of the interventricular
septum (Fig. 18.15).
Fig. 18.13: Structure of an atrioventricular valve
Pulmonary orifice
Right Ventricle
Septal papillary muscle
Tricuspid orifiCe
Anterior papillary muscle
Posterior or inferior papillary muscle
PERICARDIUM AND HEART
SA node
AV bundle and
left branch
AV node
Right branch of
AV bundle
Purkinje fibres
Moderator band
Fig. 18.14: The conducting system of the heart
5 The wall of the right ventricle is thirurer than that
of the left ventricle in a ratio of 1:3.
!nlervenlilculol Seplum
The septum is placed obliquely. Its one sudace faces
forwards and to the right and the other faces backwards
and to the left. The upper part of the septum is thin
and membranous and separa-tes not only the two
ventricles but also the right atrium and left ventricle.
The lower part is thick muscular and separates the two
ventricles. Its position is indicated by the anterior and
posterior interventricular grooves (Fig. 18.15).
Fibrous ring Cusp