Atrial septal defect ostium secundum anatomy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [2]; Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3]; Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [4]

During fetal development, the septal wall may fail to fuse causing an atrial septal defect to arise. An ostium secundum atrial septal defect is one such type of malformation arising from the irregular development of the foramen ovale, septum secundum or septum primum. It is the most common type of atrial septal defect.

• The septum secundum is semilunar in shape. It grows downward from the upper wall of the atrium immediately to the right of the primary septum and foramen ovale. Shortly after birth the septum secundum fuses with the primary septum and through this means the foramen ovale is closed. Sometimes the septal fusion is incomplete and the upper part of the foramen remains patent.

• The limbus fossae ovalis denotes the free margin of the septum secundum. The ostium secundum (or foramen secundum) is a foramen in the septum primum. It should not be confused with the foramen ovale, which is a foramen in the septum secundum. It can arises from an enlarged foramen ovale, inadequate growth of the septum secundum, or excessive absorption of the septum.

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