Cor triatriatum 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]; Keri Shafer, M.D. [4]; Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [5]

During fetal development, a cor triatriatum defect results in a deviation in the formation of the left atrial chamber. This section serves to explain the anatomy of a cor triatriatum defect.

The pulmonary veins enter the proximal left atrial chamber and are separated from distal left atrial chamber by a diaphragm. A small hole in this diaphragm allows some communication to the distal chamber. The right ventricle is enlarged. The fossa ovalis is patent, which allows left-to-right shunting. This interatrial connection usually communicates with the proximal chamber of the right atrium and occasionally the distal chamber communicates with the right atrium. The distal chamber contains the mitral valve and the left atrial appendage.

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