Where is a mouse’s heart located? - briefly
The mouse heart resides in the thoracic cavity, positioned centrally between the lungs and slightly left of the midline, adjacent to the sternum. It is protected by the rib cage and lies just beneath the diaphragm.
Where is a mouse’s heart located? - in detail
The murine heart resides within the thoracic cavity, encased by the pericardial sac and positioned between the left and right lungs. It lies slightly left of the mid‑line, anchored to the diaphragm inferiorly and attached to the sternum anteriorly. The organ rests against the ventral surface of the vertebral column, with the apex pointing caudally and slightly ventrally.
Key positional characteristics:
- Mediastinal placement: occupies the central thoracic space, protected by the rib cage.
- Vertical orientation: base faces cranially toward the neck, apex directed toward the abdomen.
- Proximity to major vessels: the ascending aorta emerges from the left ventricle, while the pulmonary artery exits the right ventricle, both coursing adjacent to the sternum.
- Size relative to body: approximately 1 cm in length for an adult laboratory mouse, representing 0.5–0.7 % of total body mass.
- Support structures: pericardial reflections attach to the diaphragm and the inner surface of the thoracic wall, stabilizing the organ during respiration.
These anatomical details define the exact location and spatial relationships of the mouse heart within its thoracic framework.