The heart was a major internal organ found in many non-sentient creatures and sentient humanoid species. It was responsible for pumping blood through the blood vessels. Any strikes or damage done to the heart was usually fatal to humanoids.^[1] Jaina Solo, for instance, killed her brother, Darth Caedus, by striking at his heart with her lightsaber. Over a thousand years earlier, Dessel—the boy who would become Darth Bane—killed his own father, Hurst, by using the dark side to crush the man's heart.^[2]

Some species, such as the Zabrak had two hearts, which had to beat in synchronization to function properly,^[3] while the Muun had three hearts. Cereans also had a secondary heart to support their large brains.^[4] The Atoan species did not possess hearts, but rather had numerous "hearts" throughout their bodies.^[5]

In terms of medical treatment, there were several manner of equipment which could be used to monitor the heart, such as the various monitors and defibrillators used by Darth Sidious to monitor the status of Darth Vader following his horrific ordeal on Mustafar.^[6] Medical personnel used a device called an auscultator to listen to the heart sounds of their patients, as Doctor Kornell Divini did to Memah Roothes on board the first Death Star.^[7]

For many, the heart was also thought of as the seat of emotion. When young Anakin Skywalker asked his mother if they would ever see each other again, she responded, "What does your heart tell you?"^[8] Ten years later, Jedi Grand Master Yoda was pleased to see Senator Padmé Amidala survive an assassination attempt, telling her that it brought warm feelings to his heart.^[9] Three years later, Padmé told Anakin that he was breaking her heart after witnessing him turning to the dark side.^[10]

Appearances

Sources

• The New Essential Guide to Alien Species
• Book of Sith: Secrets from the Dark Side

Notes and references

External links

• Heart on Wikipedia