The heart acts as a double pump, circulating blood through the body in a continuous loop. Deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium, then moves to the right ventricle and is pumped to the lungs for oxygenation. Oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium, flows into the left ventricle, and is then pumped out to the body via the aorta.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium: The superior and inferior vena cava, large veins, bring deoxygenated blood from the body into the right atrium.
Right atrium to right ventricle: The blood flows through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle.
Right ventricle to the lungs: The right ventricle pumps blood through the pulmonary valve and into the pulmonary artery, carrying it to the lungs for oxygenation.
Lungs to left atrium: Oxygenated blood returns from the lungs through the pulmonary veins into the left atrium.
Left atrium to left ventricle: The blood flows through the mitral valve into the left ventricle.
Left ventricle to the body: The left ventricle pumps blood through the aortic valve into the aorta, the largest artery, and then to the rest of the body.
Blood returns to the heart: After delivering oxygen to the body’s tissues, deoxygenated blood returns to the heart, completing the cycle.
This process repeats continuously, ensuring that oxygen is delivered to all parts of the body. The heart’s two main pumps (right and left sides) work simultaneously to facilitate this circulation.