The heart consists of four chambers in which blood flows. Blood
enters the right atrium and passes through the right ventricle. The
right ventricle pumps the blood to the lungs where it becomes
oxygenated. The oxygenated blood is brought back to the heart by
the pulmonary veins which enter the left atrium. From the left
atrium blood flows into the left ventricle. The left ventricle
pumps the blood to the aorta which will distribute the oxygenated
blood to all parts of the body.
Review Date: 12/10/2010
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz.
Previously reviewed by David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of
Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine,
University of Washington School of Medicine (5/16/2010).
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
