The left auricle (left atrial appendage) is a narrow, finger-like, often lobed pouch extending from the left atrium. It curves forwards around the left side of the pulmonary trunk. Its interior contains pectinate muscles, the only part of the left atrium that does.
| Location | Upper left border of the heart, overlapping the root of the pulmonary trunk and lying close to the left circumflex artery and great cardiac vein. |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Blood Supply | Left circumflex artery (atrial branches) |
Acts as a compliant reservoir that helps regulate left atrial pressure and releases natriuretic peptides when stretched.
In atrial fibrillation blood can stagnate in the auricle, and in non-valvular atrial fibrillation the large majority of heart clots form here, which is why anticoagulation is used to prevent stroke. In people who cannot take anticoagulants, the auricle can be sealed with a catheter-placed occlusion device or closed surgically. An enlarged auricle can show as a bulge on the left heart border on X-ray, classically in mitral stenosis.
Clot forming in the auricle, mainly in atrial fibrillation. Fragments can travel to the brain and cause stroke.
Dilation of the appendage seen with mitral valve disease and long-standing atrial fibrillation. It increases the risk of clot formation.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
