Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: omid on 14/09/2009 10:37:56

Title: Why is the heart on the right hand side in some people?
Post by: omid on 14/09/2009 10:37:56

Hey Guys,
I've just come to know that in fifty thousand people you can find one person whose heart is a reflection of mirror, which means that his heart is at his right instead of his left side. just wana know if this true and why is that so? [:-\]

Title: Re: Why is the heart on the right hand side in some people?
Post by: Nizzle on 14/09/2009 10:48:27

It is true, and these people are completely mirrored, not only their heart.
The condition is called Situs Inversus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Situs_inversus).

Also, when people discover they have Situs Inversus, they must always carry note in their wallet close to their ID in case they would ever need emergency aid.

Title: Re: Why is the heart on the right hand side in some people?
Post by: Karen W. on 14/09/2009 10:52:33

Wow.. I did not know such a thing existed.. thanks for asking such an interesting question.. Is it genetic or passed on?

Title: Re: Why is the heart on the right hand side in some people?
Post by: Nizzle on 14/09/2009 12:00:59

Situs inversus is generally an autosomal recessive genetic condition, although it can be X-linked or found in identical "mirror" twins.

Source: Gedda L, Sciacca A, Brenci G, Villatico S, Bonanni G, Gueli N, Talone C. Situs viscerum specularis in monozygotic twins. Acta Genet Med Gemellol (Roma) 1984; 33(1): 81-5.

Title: Re: Why is the heart on the right hand side in some people?
Post by: Karen W. on 16/09/2009 14:15:53

I did not know their could be so many variances!