A cow's heart is roughly the size of a human head.
Cow Heart Size: A Comparison
While the exact size varies depending on the cow's breed and age, a common comparison is to a human head. This provides a readily understandable visual reference. This information is supported by multiple sources, including this article on amazing animal heart facts.
Unlike the often-misunderstood belief that a blue whale's heart is the size of a small car, a cow's heart is significantly smaller. The large size of a cow's heart, relative to other animal hearts (except for much larger animals, like whales), makes it a useful tool for educational purposes, often used in biology classes to demonstrate the heart's internal structures, as mentioned on the Whitman College website.
It's important to note that the size is not the only factor determining the functionality of a heart. The structure and the way the heart functions are also vital to consider.
Practical Uses of Cow Hearts
Cow hearts are sometimes used in medical procedures. For example, in some heart valve replacements, tissue from a cow's heart is utilized, though not the entire heart valve structure itself, as explained in this article about cow valve replacements.
Additionally, cow hearts can be used as a source of food. You can find them available for sale at some meat markets, as indicated on various online sources such as Vincent's Meat Market.
Clarification on Misconceptions
It is important to dispel the misconception that cows have four hearts. Cows, like humans, have only one heart. This fact is confirmed on Quora.
