Anatomy of the heart

Although the anatomy of the heart remains unchanging, our understanding of its function and development has advanced. This knowledge is increasingly important for modern investigations, which include echocardiological and electrophysiological studies. This article presents the heart as understood by anatomists, and uses the time-honoured nomenclature, particularly for the aortic and pulmonary valves and origins of the coronary arteries. The references are from an excellent compilation on the heart in Clinical Anatomy.