The heart, a fist-sized muscular organ located in the mediastinum, is the central structure of the cardiovascular system. It is protected by the bony structures of the sternum anteriorly, the spinal column posteriorly, and the rib cage. The heart is roughly conical, with the base of the cone at the top of the heart and the apex (the pointed part) at the bottom. It is rotated slightly counterclockwise, with the apex tipped anteriorly so that the back surface of the heart actually lies over the diaphragm.
Clinical Tip: The cone-shaped heart has its tip (apex) just above the diaphragm to the left of the midline. This is why we may think of the heart as being on the left side-the strongest beat can be heard or felt there.
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