Videos
Quizzes
Both
Interatrial septum
/images/vimeo_thumbnails/391471209/M4kS7U39SBwDog8KKliEzA_overlay.jpg)
:watermark(/images/watermark_only_413.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url_sm.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/septum-interatriale/U7WOhLv8AI0yvGR81KtXgg_Septum_interatriale_01.png "Interatrial septum (Septum interatriale); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only_413.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url_sm.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/interatrial-septum/IdQcBz46ACYmJPQeMiUtWg_Septum_interatriale_02.png "Interatrial septum (Septum interatriale); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
The interatrial septum is a thin fibromuscular wall situated between the right and left atria of the heart. In adults, the interatrial septum has a centrally positioned depression known as oval fossa. This depression marks the place where foramen ovale was placed during fetal development.
In the postnatal life, the main function of the intraatrial septum is to keep the left and right atria separate. This way the blood from the these two chambers doesn't get mixed with each other.
In contrast, during fetal development, the foramen ovale functions as a shunt that permits the flow of the blood from the right atrium to the left atrium. With the first breath that baby takes, the pressure from the lungs closes the valve of the foramen ovale and it fuses with the intraatrial septum.
| Terminology | English: Interatrial septum Latin: Septum interatriale Synonyms: Atrial septum, septum atriorum |
| Definition | Fibromuscular wall that separates right and left atria of the heart |
| Function |
Postnatal life: keeping the right and left atria separate Prenatal life: Right-left blood shunt |
Learn everything about the left and right portions of the heart with the following study units:
:format(jpeg)/images/study_unit/left-atrium-and-ventricle/AB06iHCJc1oaiWYNpV4v4w_Left_ventricle_and_atrium.png)
:format(jpeg)/images/study_unit/right-atrium-and-ventricle/iL9MhPgKMuHwLnbhGPtsDA_Right_ventricle_and_atrium.png)
Interatrial septum: want to learn more about it?
Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.
What do you prefer to learn with?
“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.”
–
Read more.
Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver
