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    Related Topics

    From Cardiovascular System

    External Carotid Artery
    Supplies blood to the face and scalp.
    External Jugular Veins
    Drain blood from the face and scalp.
    Pericardium
    Double-walled sac containing the heart and the roots of the great vessels.
    Axillary Veins
    Drain the upper limbs and join with subclavian veins.
    Superior Vena Cava
    Returns deoxygenated blood from upper body.
    Left Common Carotid Artery
    Supplies the head and neck.
    Brachiocephalic Veins
    Formed by the union of subclavian and internal jugular veins.
    Cephalic Veins
    Superficial veins of the lateral upper limb.
    Subclavian Veins
    Carry blood from the upper limbs to the heart.
    Common Iliac Veins
    Drain blood from the pelvis and lower limbs.
    Fibrous Pericardium
    Outer layer of the pericardium made of dense connective tissue.
    Abdominal Aorta
    Part of descending aorta within the abdomen.
    Femoral Veins
    Major deep veins of the thigh.
    Axillary Arteries
    Continuation of subclavian arteries into the armpit.
    Inferior Vena Cava
    Returns deoxygenated blood from lower body.
    Interventricular Septum
    Wall separating the left and right ventricles.
    Common Carotid Arteries
    Major arteries supplying blood to the head and neck.
    Left Pulmonary Artery
    Carries blood to left lung.
    Internal Iliac Arteries
    Supply blood to pelvic organs.
    Descending Aorta
    Portion of the aorta descending through thorax and abdomen.
    Tricuspid Valve
    Valve between the right atrium and right ventricle.
    Thoracic Aorta
    Part of descending aorta within the chest.
    Trabeculae Carneae
    Irregular muscular columns on the walls of the ventricles.
    Aortic Arch
    Curved portion of the aorta giving rise to major arteries.
    Right Superior Pulmonary Vein
    Returns oxygenated blood from right lung.

    Right Ventricle

    Reviewed by our medical team

    Pumps blood to the lungs via pulmonary artery.

    Overview

    The right ventricle is one of the four chambers of the heart, responsible for pumping deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary circulation. It receives blood from the right atrium and propels it through the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary trunk, which directs the blood to the lungs for oxygenation. Structurally and functionally adapted to operate under low pressure, the right ventricle is essential in maintaining the continuous flow of blood through the lungs.

    Location

    The right ventricle occupies the anterior portion of the heart and forms most of the sternocostal surface and the inferior border. It lies:

    • Anterior to the left ventricle

    • Inferior to the right atrium

    • Posterior to the sternum and costal cartilages

    Its apex is directed toward the left and inferiorly, contributing to the lower margin of the heart but not forming the true apex, which is formed by the left ventricle.

    Structure

    The right ventricle has a crescent or triangular shape in cross-section and is divided into three functional components:

    • Inlet portion: Includes the tricuspid valve and associated chordae tendineae and papillary muscles

    • Trabeculated apical portion: Contains muscular ridges (trabeculae carneae), including the moderator band

    • Outlet portion (infundibulum or conus arteriosus): Smooth-walled area leading to the pulmonary valve and trunk

    The wall of the right ventricle is thinner than the left ventricle (about 3–5 mm) due to its operation under lower pressure. The internal surface is lined by prominent trabeculae carneae that aid in efficient contraction.

    Function

    The primary function of the right ventricle is to:

    • Receive deoxygenated blood from the right atrium via the tricuspid valve

    • Propel blood into the pulmonary circulation through the pulmonary valve and trunk

    It contracts during systole, generating the pressure needed to open the pulmonary valve and eject blood into the pulmonary arteries. This ensures proper oxygenation of blood in the lungs.

    Physiological Role(s)

    The right ventricle plays several key physiological roles:

    • Maintains pulmonary circulation: Supplies continuous blood flow to the lungs for gas exchange

    • Regulates venous return: Ensures systemic venous blood is cleared efficiently to prevent congestion

    • Supports ventricular interdependence: Its motion and pressure changes influence left ventricular filling and function (via the interventricular septum and pericardial constraint)

    • Responds to volume and pressure changes: The right ventricle adapts more readily to volume overload than to pressure overload

    Clinical Significance

    The right ventricle is involved in numerous cardiovascular conditions, many of which can severely impact circulatory dynamics:

    • Right Ventricular Failure: Can result from left heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, or primary right-sided disease (e.g., tricuspid regurgitation). Leads to systemic venous congestion, hepatomegaly, and peripheral edema.

    • Pulmonary Hypertension: Increased afterload leads to right ventricular hypertrophy and eventual dilation and failure.

    • Right Ventricular Infarction: Usually associated with inferior myocardial infarctions involving the right coronary artery. Presents with hypotension and elevated jugular venous pressure but clear lungs.

    • Congenital Defects: Tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary valve atresia, and double outlet right ventricle are conditions involving abnormal development or structure of the right ventricle.

    • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC): A rare inherited disease involving fibrofatty replacement of RV myocardium, causing arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, especially in athletes.

    • Tricuspid Valve Disease: As the valve lies at the inlet of the right ventricle, its dysfunction (e.g., tricuspid regurgitation) directly affects RV workload and efficiency.

    • Imaging and Evaluation: Echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and right heart catheterization are key tools for assessing right ventricular size, function, and pressure dynamics.

    Proper function of the right ventricle is essential for balanced circulation between the pulmonary and systemic circuits. Its dysfunction often presents subtly but can rapidly lead to hemodynamic compromise and multi-organ effects if left untreated.

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