What is the function of the left ventricle?

• A. Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs
• B. Stores blood
• C. Pumps oxygenated blood to the body
• D. Filters blood

Answer: (C)

The left ventricle’s job is to pump oxygen-rich blood to the body, supplying tissues with the oxygen they need. After blood returns from the lungs and enters the left atrium, it passes through the mitral valve into the left ventricle. When the ventricle contracts, it pushes blood through the aortic valve into the aorta and out to the systemic circulation. The left ventricle has a thick muscular wall because it must generate high pressure to overcome the resistance of the whole body.

This isn’t the chamber that sends blood to the lungs—that duty belongs to the right ventricle, which pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs for gas exchange. The heart doesn’t store blood or filter it; storage is handled by other parts like the veins and atria, and filtering is done by organs such as the kidneys and liver.