The rightatriumis one of the heart’s upper chambers that plays a role in blood circulation.
It collects deoxygenated blood and directs it on a pathway to get oxygen from the lungs.
Problems with the right atrium can occur from birth or due to problems with the heart valves or muscles.
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These can be associated witharrhythmias(irregular heartbeats), blood clots, and heart failure.
These chambers are hollow and surrounded by muscle and other tissue.
Deoxygenated blood from the superior and inferior vena cava and the coronary sinus collect in the right atrium.
From there, it is pumped to the body.
Theelectrical system of the heartis a complex system of specialized tissue that signals the heart to beat.
It then goes to the atrioventricular node and travels toward the ventricles to stimulate their contraction.
Anatomy
The right atrium contains parts of the cardiovascular system that are key to overall health.
Location
The right atrium sits at the top right side of the heart.
It is positioned slightly below and in front of the left atrium.
Two large veinstheinferior vena cavaandsuperior vena cavaempty into the right atrium.
Another vein known as thecoronary sinuscarries blood from the heart muscle to the right atrium.
Right vs. Left Atrium
Both the right and left atria are thin-walled chambers that passively collect blood.
This is compared to the thicker-walled ventricles, which are responsible for pumping blood.
The atrial septum separates the right and left atrium.
Normally there is complete separation so that blood does not mix from the right and left atrium.
Health Conditions
Various conditions can affect the right atrium.
These may be congenital, meaning present from birth, or acquired, meaning developed later in life.
Problems with the right atrium can occur from birth or be acquired later in life.
Conditions affecting the right atrium can lead to arrhythmias and increase the risk of blood clots, and stroke.
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