Library · Anatomy
Ventricle
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The heart has four chambers, organized into two pumps: the right one and the left one. The ventricles are the chambers that pump. The right ventricle sends blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen. The left one sends the already oxygenated blood to the rest of the body, to what is called the systemic circulation.
The way the ventricle ejects blood has a striking detail. When the ventricle starts to contract, the blood does not leave yet: the pressure inside climbs and climbs with the valves shut. Only when that pressure exceeds the pressure in the arteries does the valve give way and open, and then comes the rapid ejection. The valve does not open on command: it opens when the pressure inside wins.
Both ventricles do the same job, but not with the same force. The right one works at much lower pressures than the left. And a healthy ventricle ejects more than 60% of what it was holding.
In brief
The heart has four chambers and the ventricles are the pumping chambers: the right one sends blood to the lungs and the left one to the systemic circulation.
As it contracts, pressure rises with no blood leaving until it exceeds the pressure in the arteries; then the valve opens and rapid ejection begins.
The valve does not open on command, but when the pressure inside wins.
The right ventricle does the same at much lower pressures, and a healthy ventricle ejects more than 60% of its volume.
Sources (2)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingAnatomy, Thorax, Heart, StatPearlsPublished
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingPhysiology, Cardiac Cycle, StatPearlsPublished
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