Human Heart (made of ABS)

Quick Answer: The ABS heart model is a model of the human heart made from ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), a rigid engineering plastic. It suits classrooms where the model is passed from hand to hand, and it is used to teach the external and internal anatomy of the heart.

Why ABS Matters for a Handling Model

The material named in the title is the point of difference for this listing. ABS is a tough thermoplastic widely used for moulded parts that must survive knocks, such as instrument housings and toys. For a teaching model this generally means a hard, smooth surface that resists chipping better than plaster or brittle resins, holds painted detail well and can be wiped clean. These are general properties of the material, not test results for this specific model.

The anatomy is that of the adult heart. On the outside, students can find the sulci that divide the chambers: the coronary sulcus running around the heart between atria and ventricles, and the anterior and posterior interventricular sulci. The coronary arteries and cardiac veins run in these grooves, with the great cardiac vein ending in the coronary sinus on the back of the heart, which drains into the right atrium.

Whether this ABS heart model opens to show the chambers and valves, and into how many parts, is not given in the title and should be confirmed; the 2 part heart and 4 part heart listings state their number of parts.

Specifications

Care & Handling

• Clean the model with warm water and mild detergent, which ABS generally tolerates well.
• Do not use acetone, nail-varnish remover or other strong solvents, which attack ABS and dissolve its surface.
• Keep it away from radiators and hot car interiors, since ABS can deform when it gets very hot.

Applications

• Pass-round anatomy lessons where each student handles the model
• Teaching surface landmarks of the heart and the coronary circulation
• Practical assessment stations used term after term
• Outreach and demonstration visits where the model travels between sites

Why Choose LabEquip

Schools and colleges that want a heart model students can handle every day, rather than keep behind glass, tend to choose the ABS version. LabEquip lists it with its biology lab products; use the contact page to ask about opening parts and size.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ABS plastic?

ABS stands for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a tough, rigid thermoplastic used for moulded products that need impact resistance. It takes paint well and has a smooth surface that is easy to clean.

Is an ABS heart model more durable than a plaster one?

In general, yes. Plaster chips and breaks when dropped, while ABS is a tough plastic that resists knocks. No model survives careless handling, but ABS suits pass-round use better.

How should an ABS model be cleaned?

Wipe it with warm water and a little mild detergent, then dry it. Avoid acetone and other strong solvents, which damage ABS, and avoid abrasive pads that scratch the paint.

What is the coronary sinus?

It is a wide venous channel on the back of the heart that collects blood from the cardiac veins and empties it into the right atrium.

What are the sulci on the heart surface?

They are grooves marking the boundaries between chambers. The coronary sulcus circles the heart between atria and ventricles, and the interventricular sulci mark the septum between the ventricles.

Does the ABS heart open up?

The title names the material but not the number of parts. LabEquip can tell you whether this model opens before you order; multi-part hearts are also listed separately.

Last Updated: September 2026