An anatomical review of the left atrium

Abstract

Abstract Background The anatomy of the left atrium is of great clinical importance due to the increase of interventional procedures that require access to the left atrium such as catheter ablations and valvular repair. The purpose of this literature review is to discuss the anatomical features and clinical relevance of the left atrium, including its location, internal attributes and its relationship with both cardiac and noncardiac structures. Methods This literature review seeks to collate and discuss peer-reviewed articles on the anatomy of the left atrium. It was outlined after conducting a review of the literature and standard search engines. Results The left atrium consists of an appendage, a venous component, and a vestibule. Several anatomical variations have been reported in each of those components, which poses difficulty in performing safe and effective interventional cardiac procedures. Conclusion Knowledge of the underlying anatomy of the left atrium can promote improved diagnostic protocols and clinical interventions in the future.