What does dextrocardia mean?
Dextrocardia is the congenital condition in which the heart is situated on the right side of the chest and its apex points toward the right. It results from abnormal development of the heart during the embryonic period and may occur by itself or as part of situs inversus, a broader reversal of the positions of the major organs. The term is primarily used in medicine, particularly in cardiology, radiology, and prenatal diagnosis. Although dextrocardia is a striking anatomical feature, the implications for health depend on the associated congenital abnormalities. Dextrocardia should not be confused with dextroposition, a more general term for displacement of the heart toward the right that does not necessarily involve the characteristic rightward direction of the apex.
nounA congenital condition in which the heart is positioned on the right side of the chest, with its apex pointing toward the right rather than the left.
- The congenital positioning of the heart on the right side of the thorax, with the apex directed toward the right.
"The diagnosis revealed isolated dextrocardia without reversal of the other abdominal organs."
"Dextrocardia was detected during the prenatal ultrasound examination."
"In dextrocardia, the heart lies on the right side of the chest and points toward the right shoulder."
"The patient had dextrocardia associated with situs inversus totalis."
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon; dextrocardia is normally used as a singular condition name.
"The registry included several dextrocardias with differing associated cardiac defects."
Usually, the heart points left; in dextrocardia, it takes the opposite course.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does dextrocardia come from?
Dextrocardia is a modern medical compound formed from the combining form dextro-, derived from Latin dexter, meaning “right,” and cardia, derived from Greek kardia, meaning “heart.” The combination entered medical usage as a precise anatomical designation for the heart's rightward position. Its components have close relatives in words such as dexterity and dextral on one side, and cardiac and pericardium on the other.
Related word forms
How dextrocardia is actually used
This is a specialist medical term used chiefly in clinical and diagnostic contexts. It may occur alone or together with situs inversus, in which the arrangement of the thoracic and abdominal organs is generally reversed.
Easily confused with dextrocardia
Dextrocardia is the congenital rightward orientation of the heart with its apex pointing right, whereas dextroposition is displacement of the heart toward the right without necessarily reversing the apex.