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In the wall of the right atrium is an oval-shaped depression known as the fossa ovalis, which is a
remnant of an opening in the fetal heart known as the foramen ovale. The foramen ovale allowed
blood in the fetal heart to pass directly from the right atrium to the left atrium, allowing some
blood to bypass the pulmonary circuit. Within seconds after birth, a flap of tissue known as the
septum primum that previously acted as a valve closes the foramen ovale and establishes the
typical cardiac circulation pattern.[7] Most of the internal surface of the right atrium is smooth,
the depression of the fossa ovalis is medial, and the anterior surface has prominent ridges of
pectinate muscles, which are also present in the right atrial appendage.[7]
The atria receive venous blood on a nearly continuous basis, preventing venous flow from
stopping while the ventricles are contracting. While most ventricular filling occurs while the atria
are relaxed, they do demonstrate a contractile phase when they actively pump blood into the
ventricles just prior to ventricular contraction. The right atrium is connected to the right ventricle
by the tricuspid valve.[7]