Which heart chamber pumps oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body?

• A. Left atrium
• B. Right atrium
• C. Right ventricle
• D. Left ventricle

Answer: (D)

The chamber that pushes oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body is the left ventricle. After blood picks up oxygen in the lungs, it returns to the heart and enters the left atrium, then moves into the left ventricle. The left ventricle has a thick, powerful muscular wall because it must generate a high pressure to send blood into the aorta and throughout the entire body (systemic circulation). In contrast, the right ventricle pumps to the lungs (pulmonary circulation), the atria receive blood rather than pumping it to the body, and the left atrium gathers oxygen-rich blood before it moves to the left ventricle.