Atrium
Definition
An atrium is one of the two upper chambers of the heart that receives blood returning from the body or lungs. It plays a crucial role in the circulation process by passing blood to the ventricles.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- There are two atria in the human heart: the left atrium and the right atrium.
- The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body through veins such as the superior and inferior vena cava.
- The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins.
- Atrial contraction helps push blood into the ventricles, which then pump it out to either the lungs or the rest of the body.
- Malfunctions in atrial function can lead to conditions such as atrial fibrillation, which affects heart rhythm.
Review Questions
- What is the primary function of an atrium in the heart?
- Which side of the heart's atrium receives oxygenated blood and from where?
- What type of blood does the right atrium receive and through which vessels?
"Atrium" appears in:
Related terms
Ventricle: A lower chamber of the heart that pumps blood out to either the lungs or to other parts of the body.
Pulmonary Vein: The vein that carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.
Superior Vena Cava: A large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from parts of the body above the diaphragm back to the right atrium.
