Which side of the heart is responsible for pumping blood to the lungs?

Which side of the heart is responsible for pumping blood to the lungs?

• A. Right side
• B. Left side
• C. Both sides
• D. None

Answer: (A)

The right side is responsible for pumping blood to the lungs because it governs the pulmonary circulation. Blood from the body returns to the right atrium, moves into the right ventricle, and this ventricle sends deoxygenated blood to the lungs via the pulmonary arteries for oxygenation. After gas exchange, oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium and then to the left ventricle to supply the body. The left side handles pumping to the systemic circulation, so it isn’t the side that pushes blood to the lungs.

The right side is responsible for pumping blood to the lungs because it governs the pulmonary circulation. Blood from the body returns to the right atrium, moves into the right ventricle, and this ventricle sends deoxygenated blood to the lungs via the pulmonary arteries for oxygenation. After gas exchange, oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium and then to the left ventricle to supply the body. The left side handles pumping to the systemic circulation, so it isn’t the side that pushes blood to the lungs.