The auricles of the heart, also known as atrial appendages or atrial auricles, are small, ear-shaped structures located on the upper chambers of the heart, namely the left atrium and the right atrium. These auricles are found on the superior surface of the atria and are primarily responsible for increasing the total volume capacity of the atrial chambers.
Functionally, the auricles of the heart aid in the efficient filling and emptying of blood within the heart. They accomplish this by expanding and contracting during cardiac cycles. When the heart is relaxed, or in diastole, the auricles allow for increased blood flow into the atria, thus facilitating their relaxation and optimal filling. During systole, or when the heart contracts, the auricles contract as well, contributing to the complete emptying of blood from the atrial chambers into the ventricles.
Additionally, the auricles of the heart play a role in maintaining proper heart rhythm. These structures are rich in specialized cardiac cells that act as pacemakers, generating electrical impulses to initiate and regulate cardiac contractions. They assist in synchronizing the contraction and relaxation of the atria, ensuring effective blood circulation throughout the body.
Overall, the auricles of the heart serve as critical anatomical structures, contributing to the proper functioning of the cardiac system by maximizing blood volume in the atria, facilitating the cardiac cycle, and aiding in the maintenance of regular heart rhythm.
