Which features are visible from the posterior view of the heart?

Which features are visible from the posterior view of the heart?

• A. Left atrium, left ventricle, pulmonary veins, superior and inferior vena cava
• B. Right atrium, right ventricle, pulmonary trunk
• C. Aorta, pulmonary artery, superior vena cava
• D. Right atrium only

Answer: (A)

When looking at the heart from the back, the structures that form the posterior surface are most evident. The base of the heart faces posteriorly and is mainly formed by the left atrium, with the left ventricle contributing to the diaphragmatic part of the posterior surface. The pulmonary veins drain into the left atrium, so those veins are visible from the posterior view. Also, the great veins that bring blood into the heart—the superior and inferior vena cavae—open into the right atrium, which lies toward the back of the heart, so their openings are seen from behind. Structures such as the aorta, pulmonary trunk, and much of the right ventricle and other anterior-facing features aren’t seen as prominently from the posterior aspect. Therefore, the posterior view shows the left atrium, left ventricle, the pulmonary veins, and the superior and inferior vena cavae.

When looking at the heart from the back, the structures that form the posterior surface are most evident. The base of the heart faces posteriorly and is mainly formed by the left atrium, with the left ventricle contributing to the diaphragmatic part of the posterior surface. The pulmonary veins drain into the left atrium, so those veins are visible from the posterior view. Also, the great veins that bring blood into the heart—the superior and inferior vena cavae—open into the right atrium, which lies toward the back of the heart, so their openings are seen from behind. Structures such as the aorta, pulmonary trunk, and much of the right ventricle and other anterior-facing features aren’t seen as prominently from the posterior aspect. Therefore, the posterior view shows the left atrium, left ventricle, the pulmonary veins, and the superior and inferior vena cavae.