[kellyhound]

Ectopia cordis or ectopic heart is a congenital malformation in which the heart is abnormally located either partially or totally outside of the thorax.

The ectopic heart can be found along a spectrum of anatomical locations, including the neck, chest, or abdomen. In most cases, the heart protrudes outside the chest through a split sternum.

Ectopia cordis results from a failure of proper maturation of midline mesoderm and ventral body wall (chest) formation during embryonic development.

The exact etiology remains unknown, but abnormalities in the lateral body wall folds are believed to be involved.

Normally, the lateral body walls are responsible for fusion at the midline to form the ventral wall. Corruption of this process may underlie ectopia cordis.

Defective ventral body wall formation yields a heart unprotected by the pericardium, sternum, or skin.

Other organs may also have formed outside the skin, as well.

Many cases of ectopia cordis have associated congenital heart defects, in which the heart has failed to properly form.

Defects more commonly associated with ectopia cordis include:
Intracardiac defects
Atrial septal defect
Ventricular septal defect
Tetralogy of Fallot
Tricuspid atresia
Double outlet right ventricle
Non-cardiac malformations
Pentalogy of Cantrell
Omphalocele
Anterior diaphragmatic hernia

Cleft palate or ectopic heart is a congenital malformation in which the heart is abnormally located either partially or totally outside of the thorax.

[SavageGlow]

That's so interesting.

[HIGHTECHDUDE]

Seems like a very happy little girl. Hope there are special advancements in medical science that can help her in the near future... maybe a biological 3D printed sternum.

[bigbear8]

Whoa! Isn’t that dangerous though for her? Kids are rough, so does that have a possibility of rupturing?

[Mr.NoCredit]

Damn.

[Caf002]

Great trick, kid!

[Caf002]

Unfortunately, the ectopia cordis survival rate is just 10%. Most babies born with hearts outside their bodies have severe intracardiac abnormalities are stillborn or die within the first few days of life. Those who survive require extensive surgeries and lifelong medical care delivered by a team of specialists.

[Massacreman]

On the flip side, both monitoring the heart and cpr are markedly easier.

[LuckiiDevil21]

Well. That made me sick and nothing makes me sick!