Septum

• Septum

  • The heart consists of 4 chambers; left and right atria (atrium) and left and right ventricles
  • All chambers are separated by a part fibrous/part muscle septae
  • The presence of septae separates the left and right sides of the heart - or the oxygenated and deoxygenated blood
• Septum

  • In some individuals the septae are not fully completed at birth resulting in an abnormal connection between the left and right atria (atrial septal defect – ASD) or between the left and right ventricles (ventricular septal defect (VSD) or a larger hole affecting the atrial & ventricular portion of the septum (atrial ventricularseptal defect (AVSD)
  • Rarely the septae may also become disrupted following a myocardial infarction (or heart attack)
• Septum

  • A loss of septal continuity for whatever reason results in abnormal shunting of blood between the left and right sides of the heart in accordance with existing pressure gradients