Valentines Position
As you might have noticed, in most illustrations the heart is oriented with its tip downwards and with its base upwards AR-Figure 2.6, this is known as Valentine’s Position. Valentine’s Position is a representation of how the heart is examined in the autopsy room, not how it is sited anatomically in the chest.
In Valentine’s position, the right heart’s chambers are situated to the right of the interventricular septum and the left heart’s chambers are situated on the left of the interventricular septum. Also, the heart’s apex is positioned inferior and atria on top of the ventricles.
When we study the heart for ECG interpretation, it is best to avoid Valentine’s position as it will cause confusion when it comes to the ECG Leads. [9,10,11]
Attitudinally correct heart anatomy
The heart rests on the diaphragm inside the thorax, in the middle mediastinum, behind the sternum (AR-Figure 2.5), and this is how we should picture it.[10] When the heart’s Anatomy is visualized attitudinally correct, The right heart chambers are situated in front of the left heart chambers. The inferior aspect of the ventricular mass is seated on the diaphragm rather than the apex as it is with the Valentine position. [9,12]