Heart in situ (pericardium removed) (Latin)

Removing the pericardium allows an appreciation of the relations of the heart with the great vessels (venae cavae, aorta and truncus pulmonalis) which attach to the posterosuperior aspect of the heart, known as its basis cordis. The apex cordis is its sharpest point, located at the bottom left of the heart and angled anteroinferiorly.