Dextrocardia and Situs Inversus with Incomplete Inversion: a Case Report / 체질인류학회지

ABSTRACT

Situs inversus totalis is a very rare anatomical abnormality, which is characterized by dextrocardia and "mirror image" distribution of abdominal organs. Dextrocardia and situs inversus have important surgical implications due to altered anatomy. The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical structures of the situs inversus with dextrocardia in Korean. Presence of situs inversus with dextrocardia was confirmed in a 72-year-old female cadaver during dissection in a gross anatomy course. It was observed by focusing on the positions of the thoracoabdominal structures. In this cadaver, clearly inverted morpholoiges existed in the structures of the thoracoabdomen except the kidneys. The left-sided kidney was located at a slightly higher level than the right-sided kidney although the liver was located on the left side. We reported herein a case of dextrocardia and situs inversus with incomplete inversion, which will provide useful information for accurate diagnosis and relevant surgical procedures.