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    From Cardiovascular System

    Dorsalis Pedis Arteries
    Supply blood to the dorsal surface of the foot.
    Right Superior Pulmonary Vein
    Returns oxygenated blood from right lung.
    Posterior Tibial Arteries
    Supply posterior compartment of the leg.
    Basilic Veins
    Superficial veins of the medial upper limb.
    External Jugular Veins
    Drain blood from the face and scalp.
    Common Iliac Veins
    Drain blood from the pelvis and lower limbs.
    External Carotid Artery
    Supplies blood to the face and scalp.
    Internal Jugular Veins
    Drain blood from the brain and deep structures of the head.
    Aortic Valve
    Valve between left ventricle and aorta.
    Dorsal Venous Arch
    Superficial venous network on the dorsum of the foot.
    Papillary Muscles
    Muscles that anchor the heart valves via chordae tendineae.
    Descending Aorta
    Portion of the aorta descending through thorax and abdomen.
    Right Pulmonary Artery
    Carries blood to right lung.
    Mitral Valve
    Valve between the left atrium and left ventricle.
    Right Inferior Pulmonary Vein
    Returns oxygenated blood from right lung.
    Ulnar Arteries
    Supply the medial aspect of the forearm and hand.
    Great Cardiac Vein
    Drains blood from the anterior surface of the heart.
    Coronary Sinus
    Collects blood from coronary veins.
    Pericardial Cavity
    Space between parietal and visceral layers of the serous pericardium containing fluid.
    Right Coronary Artery
    Supplies blood to right side of heart.
    Moderator Band
    Muscular band of heart tissue found in the right ventricle.
    Common Iliac Arteries
    Branch from abdominal aorta to supply the lower limbs.
    Small Cardiac Vein
    Drains right atrium and ventricle.
    Heart
    Muscular organ responsible for pumping blood throughout the body.
    Common Carotid Arteries
    Major arteries supplying blood to the head and neck.

    Left Ventricle

    Reviewed by our medical team

    Pumps oxygenated blood into systemic circulation.

    Overview

    The left ventricle is one of the four chambers of the heart and plays a central role in systemic circulation. It receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium and forcefully pumps it into the aorta, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the entire body. As the strongest chamber of the heart, the left ventricle generates high pressure to sustain systemic blood flow and maintain arterial pressure.

    Location

    The left ventricle is located in the lower left portion of the heart. It sits posterior to the sternum and lies mostly behind the right ventricle. On the heart's external surface, the left ventricle contributes to the apex, part of the anterior surface, and a large portion of the diaphragmatic (inferior) surface. Internally, it is separated from the right ventricle by the interventricular septum and communicates superiorly with the aorta through the aortic valve.

    Structure

    The left ventricle has a thick muscular wall and is shaped like a cone or bullet. Key structural features include:

    • Myocardium: The thickest of all cardiac chambers, the left ventricular wall averages 8–15 mm in thickness to withstand high systemic pressure.

    • Interventricular septum: Shared wall with the right ventricle, composed of both muscular and membranous parts.

    • Inflow tract: Blood enters through the mitral (bicuspid) valve from the left atrium.

    • Outflow tract: Blood exits into the ascending aorta through the aortic valve.

    • Papillary muscles and chordae tendineae: Prevent prolapse of the mitral valve during ventricular contraction by anchoring its leaflets.

    • Trabeculae carneae: Irregular muscular ridges lining the internal surface, aiding contraction and reducing suction effects.

    Function

    The primary function of the left ventricle is to pump oxygenated blood into the systemic circulation. The functional steps include:

    • Filling (diastole): Blood flows passively from the left atrium into the ventricle and is topped off by atrial contraction.

    • Contraction (systole): The ventricle contracts, closing the mitral valve and opening the aortic valve, ejecting blood into the aorta.

    This powerful contraction produces the highest pressures in the heart, typically around 120 mmHg during systole in a healthy adult.

    Physiological Role(s)

    The left ventricle supports multiple physiological functions:

    • Systemic Circulation: Maintains the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all body tissues via high-pressure ejection of blood.

    • Blood Pressure Regulation: The ventricle sets systolic blood pressure by generating sufficient force to overcome systemic vascular resistance.

    • Cardiac Output Maintenance: Stroke volume and heart rate, both dependent on left ventricular function, determine total cardiac output.

    • Adaptive Remodeling: The left ventricle can respond to increased workload (e.g., from hypertension or exercise) through hypertrophy or dilation, although prolonged remodeling may become pathological.

    Clinical Significance

    The left ventricle is involved in many critical cardiovascular conditions:

    • Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH): Thickening of the ventricular wall due to chronic pressure overload (e.g., hypertension, aortic stenosis). It can impair diastolic filling and increase arrhythmia risk.

    • Heart Failure: Dysfunction of the left ventricle can lead to heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), depending on whether systolic or diastolic function is impaired.

    • Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack): Ischemic damage to the left ventricular wall, especially if it involves the anterior or lateral walls supplied by the left coronary artery, can severely impair function.

    • Cardiomyopathies: Includes dilated (thin and weakened ventricle), hypertrophic (thickened muscle obstructing flow), and restrictive types that affect ventricular filling and ejection.

    • Aortic Valve Disease: Aortic stenosis increases the pressure load, leading to hypertrophy; aortic regurgitation increases volume load, leading to dilation.

    • Stroke Risk: Poor ventricular contraction (especially with mural thrombus formation post-MI) can lead to thromboembolism and stroke.

    Assessment of left ventricular size, function, and wall motion is a cornerstone of cardiac diagnostics, commonly evaluated by echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and nuclear imaging. Management strategies depend on the underlying condition and may include lifestyle changes, medications (e.g., ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers), surgical repair, or device therapy such as implantable defibrillators or left ventricular assist devices (LVADs).

    Did you know? There are 4 types of blood — A, B, AB, and O — each with its own characteristics.