Author:- Mr. Ritesh Sharma
You must have heard of the term septum in the context of the human heart. But, have you wondered what is the septum in heart? On the surface, the human heart is just a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body, ensuring all vital organs receive an ample amount of oxygen and nutrients. The weight of the human heart is so light and its size is so small that it can fit in your fist. However, despite this, the relatively simple organ heart is composed of various chambers, valves, and septa, each playing a vital role in its function.
All chambers of the heart contribute to contraction and relaxation, the process through which blood circulation occurs throughout the body. The heart valves prevent the backflow of blood to the heart. The septum is a pivotal part of the heart that is never talked about enough. However, its function is as important as other components of the human heart if not more. It prevents the mixing of oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood which is a very important function in the context of the circulatory system.
In this blog, we will discuss what is the septum in heart in a detailed and comprehensive manner. So, let’s delve into this component of the human heart and uncover some useful and compelling insights.
Anatomy of the Human Heart
Before diving into the conundrum of what is the septum in heart, we should understand the complete anatomy of the human heart. The human heart is divided into four distinct chambers- two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles). The right atrium of the heart receives deoxygenated blood. This blood comes from the superior and inferior vena cavae. On the other hand, the left atrium receives oxygenated blood. This blood comes from the lungs through the pulmonary veins.
After blood is collected in the atria, it passes through the atrioventricular valves into both ventricles. Now, the ventricles contract, and oxygen-rich blood through the pulmonary artery on the right side and the aorta on the left side reach the entire body.
What is the Septum in Heart?
Now comes the important question of what is the septum in heart. The septum is basically a wall between the chambers of the heart. As we learned above, atria and ventricles are composed of deoxygenated and oxygenated blood, the main role of this wall is to ensure that the oxygen-rich blood and the oxygen-poor blood do not mix. A septum is composed of two main parts- the atrial septum and the ventricular septum.
Atrial Septum
The atrial septum is a wall that separates the two atria in the heart. It acts as a partition between the two upper chambers of the human heart. In a healthy human heart, this partition prevents the mixing of oxygen-rich blood in the left atrium with the oxygen-poor blood in the right atrium. It also consists of a small depression called fossa ovalis. This is a remnant of a fetal structure known as the foramen ovale.
When the fetus is in the developing stage, the foramen ovale allows the blood to pass through the lungs. This happens because the developing baby receives the oxygen from the mother’s placenta. After the birth of the baby, the foramen ovale automatically closes as the lungs become functional. Furthermore, they leave behind the fossa ovalis.
Ventricular Septum
As the name suggests, the ventricular spetum is a wall that divides the two ventricles. However, the structure of this septum is more muscular and thicker than the atrial septum. This is because the ventricles need extra pressure to supply blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. Akin to the atrial septum, the ventricular septum ensures that the oxygen-rich blood in the left ventricle does not mix with the oxygen-poor blood in the right ventricle.
The function of the Septum
The main function of the septum is the separation of the oxygen-rich and the oxygen-poor blood. This separation is vital for the proper oxygenation of the body’s tissues and organs. If the septum had not been there, the mixing of blood would have become frequent due to which the oxygen-carrying capacity of the circulatory system would decrease resulting in various health complications.
The disorders of the Septum
There are numerous disorders of the septum that could lead to several health complications. Let’s learn about these disorders below:
- Atrial Septal Defect: This is a type of congenital heart defect. In this, a hole develops in the atrial septum due to which the blood flows between the two atria. Due to this, the volume of blood on the right side of the heart significantly increases. If this is left untreated then it can lead to complications like pulmonary hypertension and heart failure.
- Ventricular Septal Defect: Akin to the atrial septal defect, this is also a type of congenital heart defect. In this, a hole develops in the ventricular septum, enabling the blood to flow between the two ventricles. Much like the atrial septal defect, in this disorder, the blood volume in the right side of the heart can significantly increase. The complications that arise in this are shortness of breath, poor weight gain, and frequent respiratory infections.
- Atrioventricular Septal Defect: This is a complex type of congenital heart defect. In this, there are abnormalities in both the atrial and ventricular septa, as well as the atrioventricular valves. Due to this, the blood often gets mixed between the atria and the ventricles. To rectify this disorder, one may require surgical intervention.
Treatment Options
The treatment options for the disorders of the septum vary in accordance with the severity and the type of disorder. In mild cases, there is no requirement for treatment as the disorder resolves on its own. However, in severe cases, the disorder might require a surgical repair. The surgical techniques for the treatment involve patching the hole with synthetic material or, in some cases, using minimally invasive procedures such as catheter-based interventions.
In conclusion, the question of what is the septum in the heart has a simple yet layered answer. A septum is a wall between the two chambers of the heart that prevents of the mixing of oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood. Its importance in the circulatory system cannot be overstated, as it prevents us from many health complications, ensuring seamless blood flow throughout our body.