The word, apex, comes from the Latin and means summit. In medical terms, the apex is the tip of a rounded or pyramidal structure like those found on the heart or the lungs.
The apex of the lungs (apex pulmonis) is the rounded, most superior tip, and it extends into the base of the neck, reaching from between two and a half centimetres to four centimetres above the level of the sterna end of the first rib. A sulcus, which is produced by the subclavian artery as it curves in front of the pleura, runs upwards and laterally, just below the apex.
The apex of the heart, again is the tip, but this time it is facing downwards. The apex of the heart is formed by the left ventricle, so although it has the grad name of apex, it is actually the most inferior portion of the heart, being the lowest superficial part. It is directed downwards, but also forwards and to the left, and is overlapped by the left lung and pleura.
The apex of the heart lies behind the fifth left intercostal space, eight or nine centimetres away from the mid-sternal line, slightly medial to the mid-clavicular line. Externally, you will be able to locate the apex of the heart around four centimetres below, and a mere two millimetres to the medial side of the left mammary papilla.
The left ventricle, which forms the apex, receives blood from the left atrium, which is directed towards the apex in a forward direction. This chamber contains thick myocardium and trabeculae carnea that is finer than that found in the right ventricle. The thickest part of the left ventricle is called the pars muscularis and the thinnest part is called the pars membranecea.
The apex of the lungs (apex pulmonis) is the rounded, most superior tip, and it extends into the base of the neck, reaching from between two and a half centimetres to four centimetres above the level of the sterna end of the first rib. A sulcus, which is produced by the subclavian artery as it curves in front of the pleura, runs upwards and laterally, just below the apex.
The apex of the heart, again is the tip, but this time it is facing downwards. The apex of the heart is formed by the left ventricle, so although it has the grad name of apex, it is actually the most inferior portion of the heart, being the lowest superficial part. It is directed downwards, but also forwards and to the left, and is overlapped by the left lung and pleura.
The apex of the heart lies behind the fifth left intercostal space, eight or nine centimetres away from the mid-sternal line, slightly medial to the mid-clavicular line. Externally, you will be able to locate the apex of the heart around four centimetres below, and a mere two millimetres to the medial side of the left mammary papilla.
The left ventricle, which forms the apex, receives blood from the left atrium, which is directed towards the apex in a forward direction. This chamber contains thick myocardium and trabeculae carnea that is finer than that found in the right ventricle. The thickest part of the left ventricle is called the pars muscularis and the thinnest part is called the pars membranecea.
