Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHeart Structure and Blood FlowAnatomyFunctionClinical Significance
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Heart Structure and Blood Flow
Anatomy
Function
Clinical Significance
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. They can be associated with arrhythmias, blood clots, and heart failure.
This article will discuss the right atrium’s structure and function, and the various problems and complications that can occur related to the right atrium.
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Theheartis a muscular pump with four chambers: two upper chambers calledatria,and two lower chambers calledventricles. These chambers are responsible for theblood’s flowthrough the body.These atria are thin-walled chambers that passively collect blood, while the ventricles are thicker-walled chambers that pump blood to the lungs and body.
The right atrium collects deoxygenated blood from the body and directs it to the right ventricle, where it is then pumped to the lungs to get oxygen. The oxygenated blood comes from the lungs and flows back to the heart via the left atrium, where it’s directed to the left ventricle. From there, it is pumped to the body.
Right Atrium Anatomy
The right atrium contains parts of the cardiovascular system that are key to overall health.
Structure
The right atrium is a thin-walled chamber that sits at the top right side of the heart. While it’s shape is mostly round, it also has an extension known as the right atrialappendage.Within the walls of the right atrium is thesinus node, an important part of the heart’s electrical system that generates the heart beat signal.
Location
Right vs. Left AtriumBoth 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 right atrium is on the right side of the heart, which collects and directs deoxygenated blood to the lungs. The left atrium, on the other hand, is on the left side of the heart and collects and directs oxygenated blood to the body.
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 right atrium is on the right side of the heart, which collects and directs deoxygenated blood to the lungs. The left atrium, on the other hand, is on the left side of the heart and collects and directs oxygenated blood to the body.
The atrial septum separates the right and left atrium, and normally there is complete separation so that blood does not mix from the right and left atrium. However, in as many as one in four people, there is a connection left over from fetal development known as apatent foramen ovale.
Right Atrium Function
The right atrium has a function in both theflow of blood through the heart, as well as in the heart’s electrical system. In regards to blood flow, deoxygenated blood from the superior and inferior vena cava and the coronary sinus collect in the right atrium. From there, blood flows across the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle, where it is sent to collect oxygen in the lungs.
Theelectrical system of the heartis a complex system of specialized tissue that creates a signal for the heart to beat. It starts in the sinus node, located in the right atrium, and travels through both atria to stimulate contraction. It then goes to the atrioventricular node and travels toward the ventricles to stimulate their contraction. In this way, the heart has a timed contraction of atria, then ventricles that allow for the efficient flow of blood.
Clinical Significance of the Right Atrium
Various conditions can affect the right atrium. These may be congenital, meaning present from birth, or acquired, meaning developed later in life. They can affect the structure and function of the atrium, resulting in impedance of blood flow out of the right atrium, increased risk of clot formation, stroke, and heart failure.
Structural Problems
Congenital (present from birth) conditions of the right atrium include:
Acquired conditions of the right atrium include:
Arrhythmias
Variousarrhythmias(irregular heartbeats) can occur due to problems with the electrical tissue within the right atrium, including:
Symptoms of ArrhythmiasArrhythmias may not cause any symptoms but canPalpitationsShortness of breathLightheadednessFaintingChest discomfortAny of these symptoms should be discussed with your healthcare provider, since some arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation can increase your risk of stroke and heart failure. Symptoms like chest discomfort and difficulty breathing require emergency evaluation as these can also be symptoms of a life-threatening heart attack.
Symptoms of Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias may not cause any symptoms but canPalpitationsShortness of breathLightheadednessFaintingChest discomfortAny of these symptoms should be discussed with your healthcare provider, since some arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation can increase your risk of stroke and heart failure. Symptoms like chest discomfort and difficulty breathing require emergency evaluation as these can also be symptoms of a life-threatening heart attack.
Arrhythmias may not cause any symptoms but can
Any of these symptoms should be discussed with your healthcare provider, since some arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation can increase your risk of stroke and heart failure. Symptoms like chest discomfort and difficulty breathing require emergency evaluation as these can also be symptoms of a life-threatening heart attack.
Summary
The right atrium is one of the four chambers of the heart that collects deoxygenated blood and directs it ultimately to the lungs to receive oxygen. Problems with the right atrium can occur from birth or be acquired later in life, usually due to other problems with the heart and lungs. Conditions affecting the right atrium can lead to arrhythmias and increase the risk of blood clots, and stroke.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Heart Association.How the healthy heart works.MedlinePlus.Heart chambers.Liu, Y, Song, Z, Jiang, Wet al.Right atrial appendage: an important structure to drive atrial fibrillation.J Interv Card Electrophysiol.2022;65(1):73-82. doi:10.1007/s10840-021-01106-8Collado FMS, Poulin MF, Murphy JJ, Jneid H, Kavinsky CJ.Patent foramen ovale closure for stroke prevention and other disorders.J Am Heart Assoc. 2018;7(12):e007146. doi:10.1161/JAHA.117.007146American Heart Association.What is an arrhythmia?American Heart Association.Patent foramen ovale.American Heart Association.Atrial septal defect.Cho K, Feneley M, Holloway C.Atrial septal aneurysms - A clinically relevant enigma?Heart Lung Circ. 2022;31(1):17-24. doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2021.07.025American Heart Association.Ebstein’s Anomaly.Shah Z, Alraies MC, Harp A, Khalil S, Kaki A, Elder M.A right atrial mass.Cleve Clin J Med. 2019;86(7):445-447. doi:10.3949/ccjm.86a.18131MedlinePlus.Atrial myxoma.Xie E, Yu R, Ambale-Venkatesh B, et al.Association of right atrial structure with incident atrial fibrillation: a longitudinal cohort cardiovascular magnetic resonance study from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).J Cardiovasc Magn Reson. 2020;22(1):36. doi:10.1186/s12968-020-00631-1Seo JW, Kim JS, Cha MJ, et al.Surgical and electrical anatomy of the inter-nodal and intra-atrial conduction system in the heart.J Chest Surg. 2022;55(5):364-377. doi:10.5090/jcs.22.030Page Richard L., Joglar José A., Caldwell Mary A., et al.2015 ACC/AHA/HRS guideline for the management of adult patients with supraventricular tachycardia.Circulation. 2016;133(14):e506-e574. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000311American Heart Association.Symptoms, diagnosis and monitoring of arrhythmia. 2014.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Heart Association.How the healthy heart works.MedlinePlus.Heart chambers.Liu, Y, Song, Z, Jiang, Wet al.Right atrial appendage: an important structure to drive atrial fibrillation.J Interv Card Electrophysiol.2022;65(1):73-82. doi:10.1007/s10840-021-01106-8Collado FMS, Poulin MF, Murphy JJ, Jneid H, Kavinsky CJ.Patent foramen ovale closure for stroke prevention and other disorders.J Am Heart Assoc. 2018;7(12):e007146. doi:10.1161/JAHA.117.007146American Heart Association.What is an arrhythmia?American Heart Association.Patent foramen ovale.American Heart Association.Atrial septal defect.Cho K, Feneley M, Holloway C.Atrial septal aneurysms - A clinically relevant enigma?Heart Lung Circ. 2022;31(1):17-24. doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2021.07.025American Heart Association.Ebstein’s Anomaly.Shah Z, Alraies MC, Harp A, Khalil S, Kaki A, Elder M.A right atrial mass.Cleve Clin J Med. 2019;86(7):445-447. doi:10.3949/ccjm.86a.18131MedlinePlus.Atrial myxoma.Xie E, Yu R, Ambale-Venkatesh B, et al.Association of right atrial structure with incident atrial fibrillation: a longitudinal cohort cardiovascular magnetic resonance study from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).J Cardiovasc Magn Reson. 2020;22(1):36. doi:10.1186/s12968-020-00631-1Seo JW, Kim JS, Cha MJ, et al.Surgical and electrical anatomy of the inter-nodal and intra-atrial conduction system in the heart.J Chest Surg. 2022;55(5):364-377. doi:10.5090/jcs.22.030Page Richard L., Joglar José A., Caldwell Mary A., et al.2015 ACC/AHA/HRS guideline for the management of adult patients with supraventricular tachycardia.Circulation. 2016;133(14):e506-e574. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000311American Heart Association.Symptoms, diagnosis and monitoring of arrhythmia. 2014.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Heart Association.How the healthy heart works.MedlinePlus.Heart chambers.Liu, Y, Song, Z, Jiang, Wet al.Right atrial appendage: an important structure to drive atrial fibrillation.J Interv Card Electrophysiol.2022;65(1):73-82. doi:10.1007/s10840-021-01106-8Collado FMS, Poulin MF, Murphy JJ, Jneid H, Kavinsky CJ.Patent foramen ovale closure for stroke prevention and other disorders.J Am Heart Assoc. 2018;7(12):e007146. doi:10.1161/JAHA.117.007146American Heart Association.What is an arrhythmia?American Heart Association.Patent foramen ovale.American Heart Association.Atrial septal defect.Cho K, Feneley M, Holloway C.Atrial septal aneurysms - A clinically relevant enigma?Heart Lung Circ. 2022;31(1):17-24. doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2021.07.025American Heart Association.Ebstein’s Anomaly.Shah Z, Alraies MC, Harp A, Khalil S, Kaki A, Elder M.A right atrial mass.Cleve Clin J Med. 2019;86(7):445-447. doi:10.3949/ccjm.86a.18131MedlinePlus.Atrial myxoma.Xie E, Yu R, Ambale-Venkatesh B, et al.Association of right atrial structure with incident atrial fibrillation: a longitudinal cohort cardiovascular magnetic resonance study from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).J Cardiovasc Magn Reson. 2020;22(1):36. doi:10.1186/s12968-020-00631-1Seo JW, Kim JS, Cha MJ, et al.Surgical and electrical anatomy of the inter-nodal and intra-atrial conduction system in the heart.J Chest Surg. 2022;55(5):364-377. doi:10.5090/jcs.22.030Page Richard L., Joglar José A., Caldwell Mary A., et al.2015 ACC/AHA/HRS guideline for the management of adult patients with supraventricular tachycardia.Circulation. 2016;133(14):e506-e574. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000311American Heart Association.Symptoms, diagnosis and monitoring of arrhythmia. 2014.
American Heart Association.How the healthy heart works.
MedlinePlus.Heart chambers.
Liu, Y, Song, Z, Jiang, Wet al.Right atrial appendage: an important structure to drive atrial fibrillation.J Interv Card Electrophysiol.2022;65(1):73-82. doi:10.1007/s10840-021-01106-8
Collado FMS, Poulin MF, Murphy JJ, Jneid H, Kavinsky CJ.Patent foramen ovale closure for stroke prevention and other disorders.J Am Heart Assoc. 2018;7(12):e007146. doi:10.1161/JAHA.117.007146
American Heart Association.What is an arrhythmia?
American Heart Association.Patent foramen ovale.
American Heart Association.Atrial septal defect.
Cho K, Feneley M, Holloway C.Atrial septal aneurysms - A clinically relevant enigma?Heart Lung Circ. 2022;31(1):17-24. doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2021.07.025
American Heart Association.Ebstein’s Anomaly.
Shah Z, Alraies MC, Harp A, Khalil S, Kaki A, Elder M.A right atrial mass.Cleve Clin J Med. 2019;86(7):445-447. doi:10.3949/ccjm.86a.18131
MedlinePlus.Atrial myxoma.
Xie E, Yu R, Ambale-Venkatesh B, et al.Association of right atrial structure with incident atrial fibrillation: a longitudinal cohort cardiovascular magnetic resonance study from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).J Cardiovasc Magn Reson. 2020;22(1):36. doi:10.1186/s12968-020-00631-1
Seo JW, Kim JS, Cha MJ, et al.Surgical and electrical anatomy of the inter-nodal and intra-atrial conduction system in the heart.J Chest Surg. 2022;55(5):364-377. doi:10.5090/jcs.22.030
Page Richard L., Joglar José A., Caldwell Mary A., et al.2015 ACC/AHA/HRS guideline for the management of adult patients with supraventricular tachycardia.Circulation. 2016;133(14):e506-e574. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000311
American Heart Association.Symptoms, diagnosis and monitoring of arrhythmia. 2014.
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