Which part of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the body?

The right atrium is the chamber of the heart responsible for receiving deoxygenated blood from the body. This blood returns to the heart through two major veins: the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava. Once the right atrium fills with deoxygenated blood, it contracts and pushes the blood into the right ventricle, which then pumps it to the lungs for oxygenation.

In contrast, the left atrium collects oxygenated blood coming from the lungs, while the left ventricle is responsible for pumping this oxygen-rich blood out to the rest of the body. The right ventricle plays a role in sending blood to the lungs but does not receive blood directly from the body. Understanding this flow of blood through the heart is crucial for recognizing how the cardiovascular system functions to maintain oxygen delivery to tissues.