The systemic circuit is driven by which heart chamber?

The systemic circuit is driven by which heart chamber?

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

Answer: (C)

The systemic circuit needs a high-pressure push to send blood to every organ of the body. That push comes from the left ventricle, which ejects blood into the aorta to supply the entire systemic arterial tree. Its wall is thick and muscular to generate the strong systolic pressure required to overcome systemic vascular resistance. In contrast, the right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs at much lower pressure, suitable for the pulmonary circuit. Therefore, the left ventricle is the chamber that drives the systemic circulation.

The systemic circuit needs a high-pressure push to send blood to every organ of the body. That push comes from the left ventricle, which ejects blood into the aorta to supply the entire systemic arterial tree. Its wall is thick and muscular to generate the strong systolic pressure required to overcome systemic vascular resistance. In contrast, the right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs at much lower pressure, suitable for the pulmonary circuit. Therefore, the left ventricle is the chamber that drives the systemic circulation.