Situs inversus and dextrocardia are related terms, but they do not mean the same thing. Both describe anatomical findings that can be present from birth. The key difference is that dextrocardia describes the position of the heart, whereas situs inversus describes the arrangement of internal organs.
Understanding this distinction is important because the location of the heart alone does not establish where the liver, stomach, spleen, or other organs are positioned.

What is dextrocardia?
Dextrocardia is a congenital condition in which the heart is located on the right side of the chest, with its apex generally pointing towards the right.
In a typical heart, the apex points towards the left side. In dextrocardia, the heart is oriented towards the right. However, the arrangement of the other internal organs may vary.
Dextrocardia can occur with situs inversus, where the other major organs are also reversed, or with the usual arrangement of abdominal organs. The latter is sometimes described as dextrocardia with situs solitus.
Some people with dextrocardia have a structurally normal heart. Others may have associated congenital heart defects, depending on the underlying developmental pattern. Therefore, detecting a right-sided heart should prompt assessment of both cardiac structure and the position of other organs.

What is situs inversus totalis?
Situs inversus totalis is a mirror-image arrangement of the major organs in the chest and abdomen. The heart is generally on the right, the liver is on the left, and the stomach and spleen are on the right.
The heart’s right-sided position in situs inversus totalis is therefore an example of dextrocardia, but situs inversus totalis describes a much broader anatomical arrangement.
Many people with situs inversus totalis have no major associated abnormalities and live normal lives. However, some have associated conditions, particularly PCD, which can cause chronic respiratory problems.