What is a ventricle?

Background. The concept of "one and a half" ventricular repair is to use "half" a ventricle to support the pulmonary circulation. The component makeup of any ventricle needs clarification for us to understand the nature of the so-called half ventricle. Methods. The components of normal and abnormal ventricles are reviewed. Results. Normal ventricles possess an inlet, an apical trabecular component, and an outlet. This tripartite approach is also logical in the description of congenitally malformed ventricles. Rudimentary and incomplete ventricles lack one or more of its component parts, and are usually hypoplastic. The location and morphology of the rudimentary ventricles correlate with the disposition of the atrioventricular conduction system. Conclusions. Recognition of the ventricular components permits determination of ventricular morphology and guidelines for the location of the atrioventricular conduction axis. (C) 1998 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.