Septal defects
Disease Information
Overview
What is a septal defect?
A septal defect is a hole in the septum, which is the muscle wall that separates the heart's left and right chambers. A septal defect is sometimes called "a hole in the heart." Common defects include:
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atrial septal defect
- hole in the part of the septum that separates the upper chambers of the heart (atria)
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ventricular septal defect
- hole in the part of the septum that separates the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles)
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atrioventricular canal defect
- hole in the center of the heart where the wall between the upper and lower chambers meet


