The heart possesses two atria: the left and the right. They differ significantly in function and the type of blood they receive.
Left Atrium: This chamber receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins. Its muscular wall is slightly thicker than the right atrium’s to handle the higher pressure of oxygenated blood. This blood then flows into the left ventricle, which pumps it throughout the body.
Right Atrium: This atrium accepts deoxygenated blood returning from the body through the superior and inferior vena cava. It’s responsible for pumping this blood into the right ventricle, which then sends it to the lungs for oxygenation. Its thinner muscular wall reflects the lower pressure of this deoxygenated blood.
Key Differences Summarized: The left atrium handles oxygenated blood from the lungs and has a thicker wall, while the right atrium handles deoxygenated blood from the body and has a thinner wall. This functional difference directly impacts their respective structures.
