What defines a ventricle in the heart?

A ventricle in the heart is defined as a chamber that receives blood from an atrium. The heart consists of four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. The atria are located at the top of the heart, and their primary function is to collect blood returning to the heart. Once the atria fill with blood, they contract to push this blood into the ventricles, which are the lower chambers of the heart.

The ventricles then play a crucial role in pumping blood out of the heart—specifically, the right ventricle sends deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation, while the left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. This process is fundamental to the circulatory system, as it allows for the continuous flow of blood throughout the body.

In contrast, the other choices reference structures or functions that are not associated with the specific role of the ventricles. For example, the first choice describes a functionality more aligned with the atria rather than the ventricles. The third choice details the aorta, which is indeed the main artery leaving the heart, but is not a chamber. The fourth choice pertains to the septum or valves, which act as separators within the