Skip to main content
Ch. 18 The Cardiovascular System: The Heart
Hoehn - Marieb Human Anatomy & Physiology, 12th edition
Hoehn, Haynes, Abbott12th EditionMarieb Human Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780138242732Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 18, Problem 8

Freshly oxygenated blood is first received by the:
a. Right atrium
b. Left atrium
c. Right ventricle
d. Left ventricle

Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the flow of blood through the heart: deoxygenated blood returns to the heart and is pumped to the lungs, while oxygenated blood returns from the lungs to the heart before being pumped to the body.
Recall that freshly oxygenated blood comes from the lungs via the pulmonary veins and enters the heart at the left atrium.
Identify the chambers of the heart: the right atrium and right ventricle handle deoxygenated blood, while the left atrium and left ventricle handle oxygenated blood.
Since freshly oxygenated blood is received first by the chamber that collects blood from the lungs, determine that this chamber is the left atrium.
Therefore, the correct answer corresponds to option b. Left atrium.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
4m
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Heart Chambers and Their Functions

The heart has four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. The atria receive blood entering the heart, while the ventricles pump blood out. Understanding which chamber receives oxygenated versus deoxygenated blood is essential to answer the question.
Recommended video:
Guided course
6:13
Control of Heart Rate

Oxygenated vs. Deoxygenated Blood Flow

Oxygenated blood comes from the lungs and is rich in oxygen, while deoxygenated blood returns from the body with low oxygen. Knowing the path of oxygenated blood helps identify which chamber receives it first.
Recommended video:
6:40
Relationship Between Blood Flow, Pressure, & Resistance

Pulmonary and Systemic Circulation

Pulmonary circulation moves blood between the heart and lungs, delivering deoxygenated blood to the lungs and returning oxygenated blood to the heart. Systemic circulation sends oxygenated blood from the heart to the body. This distinction clarifies the flow of oxygenated blood into the heart.
Recommended video:
4:25
Complement System