The heart is located in the middle of the chest, between the lungs, and slightly to the left of the breastbone (sternum). It sits behind and just left of the sternum within the rib cage, in the thoracic cavity known as the mediastinum. The apex (lower tip) of the heart points downwards and to the left, near the junction of the fourth and fifth ribs. The heart is roughly the size of a clenched fist and is surrounded by a protective double-layered membrane called the pericardium
. In summary:
- Positioned centrally in the chest, behind the sternum
- Slightly offset to the left side
- Between the right and left lungs
- Enclosed within the rib cage
- Surrounded by the pericardium membrane
This location allows the heart to efficiently pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body.
