Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Cardiac apex
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The apex of the heart is the lowest superficial part of the heart.
It is directed downward, forward, and to the left, and is overlapped by the left lung and pleura.
External anatomy
External anatomy
It lies behind the fifth left intercostal space, 8 to 9 cm. from the mid-sternal line, slightly medial to the midclavicular line.
Alternately, it can be found about 4 cm. below and 2 mm. to the medial side of the left mammary papilla.
It’s function is to pump blood from the left atruim
External links
External links
- Template:EMedicineDictionary
- Template:SUNYAnatomyLabs – “Heart: Sternocostal Surface of the Heart”
- Template:RocheLexicon
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]