Left atrium

Left atrium

The left atrium is one of the four chambers of the heart, located on the left posterior side. Its primary roles are to act as a vessel for blood received from the pulmonary veins, and to act as a pump to transport blood to other areas of the heart, specifically, the left ventricle.

Structure

The left atrium is situated in the upper part of the heart, known as the atrium. It is larger and more curved than the right atrium, and its walls are thicker due to the higher pressure of blood flow from the lungs. The left atrium is separated from the right atrium by the interatrial septum.

Function

The primary function of the left atrium is to receive oxygenated blood returning from the lungs via the pulmonary veins. It then contracts to push this blood through the mitral valve into the left ventricle. From there, the blood is pumped out to the rest of the body.

Clinical significance

Conditions that can affect the left atrium include atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and atrial septal defect. These conditions can lead to complications such as stroke and heart failure.

See also

• Heart
• Right atrium
• Left ventricle
• Right ventricle

References

Left atrium Resources
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