Cardiac ventricle

Cardiac Ventricle

The cardiac ventricle is a key component of the heart, the organ responsible for pumping blood throughout the circulatory system. There are two ventricles in the human heart: the left ventricle and the right ventricle. These chambers play a crucial role in the cardiac cycle, the process by which the heart contracts and relaxes to circulate blood.

Anatomy

The left ventricle is located in the lower left portion of the heart, while the right ventricle is situated in the lower right. Both ventricles are surrounded by a thick layer of cardiac muscle known as the myocardium. The inner walls of the ventricles are lined with a series of ridges called trabeculae carneae.

Function

The primary function of the ventricles is to pump blood out of the heart. The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood received from the right atrium into the pulmonary artery, which carries the blood to the lungs for oxygenation. The left ventricle, on the other hand, pumps oxygenated blood received from the left atrium into the aorta, the largest artery in the body, which then distributes the oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.

Clinical Significance

Several cardiovascular diseases can affect the ventricles, including ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure, and ventricular fibrillation. These conditions can lead to serious health complications and require medical intervention.

See Also

• Heart
• Cardiac cycle
• Cardiovascular diseases