Fossa ovalis (heart)
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
- For the structure in the thigh, see Fossa ovalis (thigh).
Overview
Found in the right atrium of the heart, the fossa ovalis is an embryonic remnant of the foramen ovale, which normally closes shortly after birth.
Clinical significance
Failure of the foramen ovale to close results in a disorder known as patent foramen ovale.