The interventricular septum is the thick wall between the right and left ventricles. Most of it is muscular and functions as part of the left ventricle, bulging into the right ventricle, while a small upper membranous part sits just below the aortic valve. The bundle of His and its branches run along it.
| Location | Between the ventricles, marked externally by the anterior and posterior interventricular grooves that carry the left anterior descending and posterior descending arteries. |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Cardiac plexus; Vagus nerves (parasympathetic, slows rate); Sympathetic cardiac nerves from cervical and upper thoracic (T1-T4) ganglia (raise rate and force) |
| Blood Supply | Septal perforators of the left anterior descending artery; Septal branches of the posterior descending artery; Atrioventricular nodal artery (upper posterior part) |
Separates the two ventricular circulations, contributes to left ventricular contraction, and carries the conducting tissue that triggers ventricular contraction from the base towards the apex.
The septum is supplied mainly by septal perforator branches of the left anterior descending artery (front two-thirds) and the posterior descending artery (back third), so septal damage localises the culprit vessel. Asymmetric septal thickening is the classic finding in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and can obstruct left ventricular outflow. Septal rupture is a rare but serious complication of myocardial infarction.
The most common congenital heart defect, usually in the membranous region. Small defects may close spontaneously, while large ones cause heart failure and need repair.
A tear through the septum, typically a few days after a large myocardial infarction. It causes a sudden new murmur and rapid heart failure and needs urgent repair.
Thickening of the septum, most often from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It can obstruct outflow from the left ventricle, especially during exertion.
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