Taenia sagittalis

Last revised by Joachim Feger on 17 Dec 2021

The taenia sagittalis or sagittal bundle is a prominent pectinate muscle and a band-like structure in the right atrium and constitutes a mimic for right atrial thrombi or masses.

The taenia sagittalis originates from the crista terminalis and extends upwards and anteriorly dividing the atrial appendage into anteromedial and posterolateral divisions 1,2.

The taenia sagittalis is absent in about 15-20%, it forms a single bundle in up to 65% and multiple bands in about 20-25% of the population 1,3.

On thoracic or cardiac CT, the taenia sagittalis can be regularly visualized as a linear muscular band 1.

The taenia sagittalis can be easily depicted on cardiac MRI with cine images or on a 3D whole-heart sequence with the same signal intensity of cardiac muscle.

The presence of taenia sagittalis is of no pathologic significance, however, it might be of relevance in the following clinical situations 1,3:

  • possible predisposing factor for atrial fibrillation
  • atrial catheters might get stuck near the taenia sagittalis in complex atrial anatomy

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