Vol 69, No 1 (2010)
Original article
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2010-03-09
Anatomy of the supraventricular crest in human hearts
N. Wafae, D. Menegucci, G. Cavallini Wafae, C.R. Ruiz
Folia Morphol 2010;69(1):42-46.
Vol 69, No 1 (2010)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2010-03-09
Abstract
The supraventricular crest is a fleshy trabecula of the right ventricle that has an
important function in guiding the blood flow. However, controversy persists
regarding its anatomical constitution. In this study, we aimed to investigate its
frequency, formation, termination, morphometry, and relationships with the
septomarginal trabecula, septal papillary muscle, right atrioventricular ring, and
left posterior semilunar valve of the pulmonary trunk valve. Our material consisted
of 50 hearts from adult individuals of both sexes that had been preserved
in 10% formalin. They were opened along the arterial cone by means of
an incision starting at the pulmonary trunk and ending at the right margin. The
supraventricular crest was always present. The marginal (right) extremity was
formed by two to six muscle bundles that joined together (88%). On the septal
(left) side, the single muscle bundle penetrated the interventricular septum
directly (88%) or by means of two or three divisions (12%). It could form
a septal band (52%) and could pass over the septal papillary muscle (43.5%) or
just below it (34.8%). There was a relationship of muscle fibres between these
two structures in 64% of cases. Dissection of the septal band demonstrated
continuity with the septomarginal trabecula (46%). In 80% of cases, the crest
was connected to the right atrioventricular ring and it participated in its outline
directly (64%) or by means of muscle expansions (16%). Its muscle fibres bordered
the left semilunar valve of the pulmonary valve in 50% of cases. Regarding
morphometry, we observed that the length varied little with increasing
weight of the heart (22.6%), but the height and width increased markedly with
increasing weight of the heart.
Folia Morphol 2010; 69, 1: 42-46
Abstract
The supraventricular crest is a fleshy trabecula of the right ventricle that has an
important function in guiding the blood flow. However, controversy persists
regarding its anatomical constitution. In this study, we aimed to investigate its
frequency, formation, termination, morphometry, and relationships with the
septomarginal trabecula, septal papillary muscle, right atrioventricular ring, and
left posterior semilunar valve of the pulmonary trunk valve. Our material consisted
of 50 hearts from adult individuals of both sexes that had been preserved
in 10% formalin. They were opened along the arterial cone by means of
an incision starting at the pulmonary trunk and ending at the right margin. The
supraventricular crest was always present. The marginal (right) extremity was
formed by two to six muscle bundles that joined together (88%). On the septal
(left) side, the single muscle bundle penetrated the interventricular septum
directly (88%) or by means of two or three divisions (12%). It could form
a septal band (52%) and could pass over the septal papillary muscle (43.5%) or
just below it (34.8%). There was a relationship of muscle fibres between these
two structures in 64% of cases. Dissection of the septal band demonstrated
continuity with the septomarginal trabecula (46%). In 80% of cases, the crest
was connected to the right atrioventricular ring and it participated in its outline
directly (64%) or by means of muscle expansions (16%). Its muscle fibres bordered
the left semilunar valve of the pulmonary valve in 50% of cases. Regarding
morphometry, we observed that the length varied little with increasing
weight of the heart (22.6%), but the height and width increased markedly with
increasing weight of the heart.
Folia Morphol 2010; 69, 1: 42-46
Keywords
anatomy; human hearts; supraventricular crest; morphology; circulatory system
Title
Anatomy of the supraventricular crest in human hearts
Journal
Folia Morphologica
Issue
Vol 69, No 1 (2010)
Article type
Original article
Pages
42-46
Published online
2010-03-09
Page views
519
Article views/downloads
3503
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2010;69(1):42-46.
Keywords
anatomy
human hearts
supraventricular crest
morphology
circulatory system
Authors
N. Wafae
D. Menegucci
G. Cavallini Wafae
C.R. Ruiz