Exam 1 Review:  Chapter 18:  External Anatomy of the Heart

apex - The tip or pointed end of the heart; in the anatomical position, the confluence of the inferior and left borders; it is a projection inferiorly, anteriorly and to the left of the left ventricle.

base - The broad superior surface of the heart, from which the great vessels emerge.

auricle - (1)  The free portion of the wall of each atrium which has a superficial similarity in shape to an ear; (2) The outer projecting portion of the ear, also called the pinna.

coronary sulcus - The slight groove seen on the external surface of the heart which indicates the borders between the atria and the ventricles; coronary vessels follow portions of the groove.

interventricular sulcus - The slight groove seen on the external surface of the heart which indicates the borders between the right and the left ventricles; coronary vessels follow portions of the groove.

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