relations

Last reviewed 01/2018

In relation to the other chambers of the heart, the right atrium is:

  • superior and to the right of the right ventricle
  • anterior and to the right of the left atrium

The right atrium contributes to the following surfaces of the heart:

  • sternocostal - contributes to its right, superior part
  • right
  • posterior - contributes to its right part

Therefore, it has the following relations around the heart:

  • anterior, from deep to superficial:
    • pericardium
    • mediastinal pleura
    • anterior part of mediastinal surface of right lung
  • posterior:
    • and to the right: pulmonary veins
    • and to the left: interatrial septum medial to left atrium
  • lateral, from medial to lateral:
    • pericardium
    • right phrenic nerve accompanied by pericardiophrenic vessels
    • right mediastinal pleura
    • mediastinal surface of right lung anterior to hilum
  • medially, from medial to lateral:
    • ascending aorta
    • pulmonary trunk