Left Auricle of the Heart Presented Without Coronary Vessels

Description

Arising from the superior left margin of the heart’s base, the left auricle (auricula sinistra cordis) projects anteriorly as a tapered, ear-like appendage of the left atrium. Its free border overlaps the anterolateral aspect of the left atrium and typically lies just anterior to the proximal pulmonary trunk, with the left ventricle positioned inferiorly and the aortic root posterior and medial. Coronary vessels are intentionally omitted, so the viewer’s attention stays on atrial morphology and surface contours rather than arterial branching. Clinically, the left atrial appendage is the dominant site of thrombus formation in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, and its variable shape matters when planning transesophageal echocardiography assessment and device-based occlusion (for example, Watchman-type implants). Cleanly isolating the auricle also supports teaching the pericardial relationships and the way the appendage can drape over the pulmonary trunk and left coronary cusp region, a practical orientation point during cardiac surgery and catheter-based left atrial work. A small structure. Big consequences. Use this artwork in cardiology and gross anatomy teaching to anchor discussions of left atrial appendage anatomy, stroke risk stratification, and procedural planning for LAA closure or surgical ligation, and in textbooks or journal figures that need an uncluttered anterior reference without coronary distraction. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.