Which surface of the heart is described as the lateral surface?

Which surface of the heart is described as the lateral surface?

• A. Anterior surface of the heart
• B. Posterior surface of the heart
• C. Lateral surface of the heart
• D. Diaphragmatic surface of the heart

Answer: (C)

Think about how the heart sits in the chest: its side that faces the left thoracic wall is the lateral surface. This left-sided surface is primarily formed by the left ventricle (with some contribution from the left atrium) and is often called the left pulmonary surface. In contrast, the anterior surface faces the sternum and front chest wall, the diaphragmatic surface rests on the diaphragm, and the posterior surface faces the vertebral column. So the lateral surface is the side oriented toward the left side of the chest.

Think about how the heart sits in the chest: its side that faces the left thoracic wall is the lateral surface. This left-sided surface is primarily formed by the left ventricle (with some contribution from the left atrium) and is often called the left pulmonary surface. In contrast, the anterior surface faces the sternum and front chest wall, the diaphragmatic surface rests on the diaphragm, and the posterior surface faces the vertebral column. So the lateral surface is the side oriented toward the left side of the chest.