Question

Apex beat is felt on
A. Lungs
B. Right side of chest
C. Left side of chest
D. Center of chest

Answer 1

A human heart is located at the centre of the thoracic cavity. The organ is enclosed within a protective pericardium membrane. It has four chambers- two upper auricles and two lower ventricles. Veins are arteries that transport blood to and fro from the heart. The major function of the heart is to pump blood to all parts of the body.

Complete answer:
All the events that occur with every heartbeat (i.e. heart muscles contracting and relaxing to pump blood within the heart chambers and outside the heart) are called the cardiac cycle. The cardiac cycle involves two phases- diastole and systole. The heart muscles relax and expand during the diastole phase, the blood enters a heart chamber. In the systole phase, the muscles contract, and blood is pumped out from the heart chamber.
In the precordium, there is a point called the point of maximum impulse. A pulse felt at this point is called the apex beat or apical impulse. Precordium is the region that basically covers the heart and the lower chest. Even though the heart is located at the centre of the thoracic cavity its end tapers towards the left side of the body. This point of maximum impulse need not necessarily be at the apex of the heart. In most cases, this apical impulse is detected on the left side of the chest i.e. the 5th intercostal space on the left side of the body (left midclavicular).
The precordium gets displaced due to the movement of the heart which moves forward during ventricular systole. It is at this point the apical impulse is detected. As the aortic valve opens, the impulse is the strongest in that period. Once all the blood flows out of the ventricles the impulse cannot be detected.
The correct option is (C), The apex beat is felt on the left side of the chest.

Note: Pericardial effusion and dextrocardia could be one of the reasons why apical impulse cannot be detected. Individuals with the condition dextrocardia, have their hearts on the right side of the body. It is easier to detect the apex beat for people with less body fat. Some studies suggest that women are more likely to show this impulse.