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Structure

Right ventricle

Not medically reviewed · Content last updated · 2 min read ·

This is the date the draft was written, not a medical review date.

The right ventricle receives blood from the right atrium and ejects it through the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary trunk. It is a thin-walled, compliant chamber working against the low-pressure pulmonary circulation.

Terminologia Anatomica (Latin): Ventriculus dexter · Open in the 3D atlas

Location

Forms most of the anterior (sternocostal) surface of the heart, directly behind the lower sternum and left third to fifth costal cartilages.

Structure

The inflow part has coarse trabeculae carneae and three papillary muscles (anterior, posterior, septal) linked by chordae tendineae to the tricuspid cusps. The septomarginal trabecula (moderator band) carries the right bundle branch to the anterior papillary muscle. The smooth outflow tract (conus arteriosus) leads to the pulmonary valve; the wall is about 3 to 5 mm thick.

Blood supply

Mainly the right coronary artery (right marginal and posterior descending branches, conus branch); the anterior wall near the septum also receives branches of the left anterior descending artery.

Innervation

Sympathetic and vagal fibres via the cardiac plexus; the right bundle branch and Purkinje network coordinate contraction.

Function

Generates the pulmonary arterial pressure (mean roughly 15 mmHg) needed to drive blood through the lungs. Contraction proceeds in a peristaltic manner from inflow to outflow and depends on the septum and free wall.

Clinical correlations

Inferior myocardial infarction from right coronary occlusion may involve the right ventricle and produce hypotension with clear lungs. Chronic pulmonary hypertension leads to right ventricular hypertrophy and cor pulmonale. Tetralogy of Fallot combines outflow obstruction, ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta and right ventricular hypertrophy. Its anterior position makes it the chamber most often injured in penetrating chest trauma.

Common exam points

  • Moderator band (septomarginal trabecula) carries the right bundle branch to the anterior papillary muscle.
  • Three papillary muscles (anterior, posterior, septal) versus two in the left ventricle.
  • Supraventricular crest separates the inflow tricuspid orifice from the outflow tract (conus arteriosus).
  • Tetralogy of Fallot: pulmonary stenosis, VSD, overriding aorta, right ventricular hypertrophy.
  • Right ventricular wall about 3 to 5 mm; left about 8 to 12 mm.

References

  1. Drake RL, Vogl AW, Mitchell AWM. Gray's Anatomy for Students. Elsevier — Tier 3 (textbook)
  2. Moore KL, Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Wolters Kluwer, 8th edition (2018) — Tier 3 (textbook)
  3. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. Elsevier, 12th edition (2022) — Tier 3 (textbook)

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