Dextrocardia is a rare congenital condition characterized by the heart being located on the right side of the chest instead of the left. In individuals with dextrocardia, the heart is reversed or mirrored, with the apex pointing towards the right side of the body. This condition can occur in isolation or as part of a more complex congenital heart defect.
There are two types of dextrocardia: dextrocardia situs solitus and dextrocardia situs inversus. In dextrocardia situs solitus, the other organs in the body are also mirrored, meaning the liver is on the right side and the spleen is on the left. In dextrocardia situs inversus, the heart is the only organ that is reversed, while the other organs maintain their normal positions.
Dextrocardia is typically diagnosed during infancy or childhood, often incidentally when imaging tests are performed for unrelated reasons. While most individuals with dextrocardia lead normal lives without any significant health issues, some may have associated heart defects or other abnormalities that require medical intervention.