Left atrial appendage
Updates to Article Attributes
The left atrial appendage (LAA)(a.k.a. left auricle) is a pouch-like projection from the main body of the left atrium lies, which lies in the atrioventricular sulcus in close proximity to the left circumflex artery, the left phrenic nerve, and the left pulmonary veins.
Gross anatomy
Morphological types
Four main morphological types have been described:
- chicken wing: 48%
- cactus: 30%
- windsock: 19%
- cauliflower: 3%.
Development
It is derived from the left wall of the primary atrium, which forms during the fourth week of embryonic development. It has developmental, ultrastructural, and physiological characteristics distinct from the left atrium proper.
Related pathology
It can be the source of more than 90% of cardiac-based emboli.
Practical points
Some authors report that the presence of trabeculations and a smaller left atrial appendage orifice diameter may be associated with greater stroke prevalence in atrial fibrillation.; i.e. the risk is lowest with chicken wing, with other types carrying higher risk: cactus (x 4.08), windsock (x 4.5), and cauliflower (x 8)5.
-<p>The<strong> left atrial appendage (LAA)</strong> is a pouch-like projection from the main body of the <a href="/articles/left-atrium-1">left atrium</a> lies in the atrioventricular sulcus in close proximity to the left circumflex artery, the left phrenic nerve, and the left pulmonary veins.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><h5>Morphological types</h5><p>Four main morphological types have been described:</p><ul>- +<p>The<strong> left atrial appendage (LAA) </strong>(a.k.a.<strong> left auricle</strong>) is a pouch-like projection from the main body of the <a href="/articles/left-atrium-1">left atrium</a>, which lies in the atrioventricular sulcus in close proximity to the <a title="Left circumflex artery" href="/articles/circumflex-artery">left circumflex artery</a>, the <a title="Left phrenic nerve" href="/articles/phrenic-nerve">left phrenic nerve</a>, and the <a title="Pulmonary veins" href="/articles/pulmonary-veins">left pulmonary veins</a>.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><h5>Morphological types</h5><p>Four main morphological types have been described:</p><ul>
-</ul><h4>Development</h4><p>It is derived from the left wall of the primary atrium, which forms during the fourth week of embryonic development. It has developmental, ultrastructural, and physiological characteristics distinct from the left atrium proper.</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><p>It can be the source of more than 90% of cardiac-based emboli.</p><h4>Practical points</h4><p>Some authors report that the presence trabeculations and a smaller left atrial appendage orifice diameter may be associated with greater stroke prevalence in atrial fibrillation. i.e. the risk is lowest with chicken wing, with other types carrying higher risk cactus (x 4.08), windsock (x 4.5), and cauliflower (x 8).</p>- +</ul><h4>Development</h4><p>It is derived from the left wall of the primary atrium, which forms during the fourth week of embryonic development. It has developmental, ultrastructural, and physiological characteristics distinct from the left atrium proper.</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><p>It can be the source of more than 90% of cardiac-based emboli.</p><h4>Practical points</h4><p>Some authors report that the presence of trabeculations and a smaller left atrial appendage orifice diameter may be associated with greater stroke prevalence in atrial fibrillation; i.e. the risk is lowest with chicken wing, with other types carrying higher risk: cactus (x 4.08), windsock (x 4.5), and cauliflower (x 8) <sup>5</sup>.</p>