What does the right side of the heart receive and where does it send the blood?

The right side of the heart plays a crucial role in the circulatory system, specifically in the process of pulmonary circulation. It receives deoxygenated blood, which is the blood that has returned to the heart from the body after delivering oxygen to the tissues and picking up carbon dioxide. This deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium from the superior and inferior vena cavae.

Once the right atrium fills with blood, it contracts and sends the blood into the right ventricle. From there, the right ventricle pumps the deoxygenated blood through the pulmonary arteries to the lungs. In the lungs, the blood releases carbon dioxide and absorbs oxygen, becoming oxygenated. This oxygen-rich blood is then sent back to the left side of the heart to be distributed to the rest of the body.

This pathway emphasizes the right side’s function in ensuring that carbon dioxide is expelled from the blood and oxygen is replenished, which is essential for maintaining overall body function. The correct answer illustrates this vital role accurately.