There is an extensive area of dead tissue (infarct) in the back wall of the left ventricle involving the whole thickness of the wall and the muscle attached to a heart valve. The infarct extends from the junction of the left atrium and ventricle to within 1 cm of the apex. The central part of the infarct shows the yellow appearance of dead tissue (necrosis), and bordering on this is a narrow grey zone where removal of dead tissue has taken place. The outer reddish area suggests partial healing by early scar tissue. The right coronary artery has been dissected and shows a portion of the thrombus ("blood clot") that led to the heart attack, which originally extended for 4 cm, commencing 1 cm from the origin of the vessel. The infarct is estimated to be approximately 2-3 weeks old.