The left ventricle (LV) is one of the heart chambers located in the lower left portion of the heart below the left atrium (LA), opposite to the right ventricle (RV). The main function of the left ventricle is to pump blood into the aorta, providing the systemic circulation.

The left ventricle has a cone shape with a base directed upward, while the apex is directed inferiorly.

There are two openings found on the base of the left ventricle: left atrioventricular orifice and the aortic orifice. There are fibrous rings and valves around both openings.

Around the left atrioventricular orifice there is the mitral valve (bicuspid valve, left atrioventricular valve). The mitral valve has two cusps - the anterior cusp and posterior cusp. The opening of the mitral valve is surrounded by a fibrous ring called the mitral annulus. The chordae tendineae are inelastic tendons that are attached to the valve cusps and to the papillary muscles within the left ventricle. The chordae tendineae prevent the valve leaflets from prolapsing into the left atrium.

The aortic orifice is guarded by the aortic valve, which is a semilunar valve. The aortic valve has three cusps - the left cusp, right cusp and posterior cusp. The aortic orifice is surrounded by a fibrous ring called the annulus fibrosus, which fixes the aortic valve.

The anterosuperior portion of the left ventricle below the aortic orifice is called the aortic vestibule. The inner surface of the heart is smooth at the aortic vestibule, while elsewhere the inner surface is covered by papillary muscles and trabeculae carneae.

There are two papillary muscles in the left ventricle.

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Left ventricle of heart