Wall of ventricle: anatomy, location and function

What it is

The muscular wall of a ventricle of the heart.

Location

It is formed of thick myocardium lined by endocardium and covered by epicardium; the inner surface is ridged by trabeculae carneae and gives rise to the papillary muscles.

Function

It contracts to pump blood into the pulmonary trunk or aorta.

Body system

Cardiovascular · single, midline structure

FMA ID

FMA13884 (Foundational Model of Anatomy)

Key facts

• The left ventricular wall (about 8–12 mm) is two to three times thicker than the right (about 3–5 mm), because it pumps against much higher systemic pressure.
• The muscular interventricular septum bulges into the right ventricle and belongs functionally to the left ventricle.

Clinical relevance

Thickening of the ventricular wall (hypertrophy) occurs with long-standing high blood pressure or aortic stenosis.

The nearest named structures in the 3D model, measured from the centre of each part:

• Anterior leaflet of mitral valve · cardiovascular
• Cavity of ventricle · cardiovascular
• Septal leaflet of tricuspid valve · cardiovascular
• Small cardiac vein · cardiovascular
• Anterolateral head of lateral papillary muscle of ventricle · cardiovascular
• Trunk of anterior interventricular branch of coronary artery · cardiovascular
• Wall of atrium · cardiovascular
• Anterior cusp of aortic valve · cardiovascular
• Posterior leaflet of mitral valve · cardiovascular
• Anterior leaflet of tricuspid valve · cardiovascular