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What is the main function of the right ventricle?

  1. Pumps blood to the rest of the body

  2. Pumps blood to the lungs

  3. Pumps oxygen-rich blood to organs

  4. Pumps blood through the aorta

The correct answer is: Pumps blood to the lungs

The primary function of the right ventricle is to pump deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary circulation, specifically to the lungs. This process is essential for gas exchange, allowing carbon dioxide to be expelled and oxygen to be absorbed into the bloodstream. By propelling blood into the pulmonary artery, the right ventricle ensures that blood reaches the lungs, where it can then be oxygenated. This function is critical in maintaining the body’s overall oxygen levels and removing waste gases. Understanding the distinct roles of the heart chambers illuminates why this choice is the most accurate. The left ventricle, in contrast, is responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body through the aorta, which differentiates its function from that of the right ventricle.