What it means
One of the heart's two pumping chambers. It receives oxygen-poor blood from the right atriumAY-tree-umOne of the two upper chambers of the heart, which receive blood coming back to the heart.atri/o atrium-um noun endingFull entry and pumps it through the pulmonary arteryPUL-muh-nair-ee AR-ter-eeThe large blood vessel that carries blood low in oxygen from the right side of the heart to the lungs.Full entry to the lungs to pick up oxygen. Its wall is thinner than the left ventricle's, because it pumps against much lower pressure. When it fails (right-sided heart failure), blood backs up into the body, causing swelling in the legs and belly and distended neck veins.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | RV |
|---|---|
| Spanish | ventrículo derecho |
| Also written | right ventricles, right ventricular |
Related terms
heart failure
A long-term condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
ventricle
One of the two lower chambers of the heart, or one of the fluid-filled spaces inside the brain.
pulmonary artery
The large blood vessel that carries blood low in oxygen from the right side of the heart to the lungs.
atrium
One of the two upper chambers of the heart, which receive blood coming back to the heart.