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In the majority of human beings, the apex of the heart (left ventricle) points towards the left side of the body. Sometimes however (approx. 1/12000 births), a person is born with a condition known as "Dextrocardia", in which the apex of the heart points to the right side of the body instead.

Is there an evolutionary reason as to why the human heart usually points to the left side as opposed to the right side of the body?

(Note: Please don't answer with, "because there is a notch in the left lung", because I will simply reply with, "is there an evolutionary reason for the apex of the heart AND the cardiac notch being on the left as opposed to the right side of the body")

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Also note there is a condition known as Situs Inversus with Dextrocardia, which is where the placement of all the organs in a person with this condition is a mirror of that of a normal person. – Chris Dec 27 '12 at 8:02
So I am asking that since people can live normal lives with Situs Inversus Dextrocardia, why is the placement of the heart on the left so much more common than placement of the heart on the right? What's the evolutionary advantage? Thanks – Chris Dec 27 '12 at 8:05
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Is the orientation of the heart in humans different from other mammals? If not, then there would appear to be nothing special about humans. Heart orientation is just inherited from ancestral mammals. – kmm♦ Dec 27 '12 at 19:07
Good point Kevin. I'm not sure if mammals hearts also are directed to the left or not. – Chris Dec 29 '12 at 16:37

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