Published by HeartBabyHome
Filled under: AV Canal Defect (AVCD), AV Septal Defect, Enlarged Aorta, pulmonary stenosis, Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), ToF
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AVCD.ToF (topview)

This is a cross section of the heart seen from the top looking down. A Normal heart looks like this:

(Click image to see download options from Flickr:)

The top portion of the aortas have been erased to show the valves.  The ventricles (not pictured) are located just behind the Tricuspid and Mitral valves.

An Atrioventricular Canal Defect (aka atrioventricular septal defect) looks like this:

(Click image to see download options from Flickr:)

The Tricuspid and Mitral valves attach to each other instead of the septal wall.  Then you essentially have one combined valve (that doesn’t close all the way) instead of two valves that function properly.  This creates a hole between the 4 chambers of the heart. Blood from all 4 chambers mix together.  Blood leaving the heart (heading to the body AND heading to the lungs) contain an unhealthy mix of both oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood.

Due to Tetralogy of Fallot, the Aorta is enlarged and there is stenosis in the pulmonary artery.

Click HERE for an alternate view of this AV canal defect (viewed from the front) that shows ALL four parts of Tetralogy of Fallot.

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