Shape and Size of the Heart

The shape of the heart is similar to a triangle, rather broad at the superior surface and tapering to the apex (see Figure). A typical heart is approximately the size of your fist. Given the size difference between most members of the sexes, the weight of a female heart is smaller on average than the male’s heart. The heart of a well-trained athlete, especially one specializing in aerobic sports, can be considerably larger than this. Cardiac muscle responds to exercise in a manner similar to that of skeletal muscle. Hearts of athletes can pump blood more effectively at lower rates than those of nonathletes.