Which structure in the heart is responsible for receiving deoxygenated blood?

The right atrium is the heart chamber that receives deoxygenated blood from the body. It plays a crucial role in the circulatory system by collecting blood that has circulated through the body and has delivered its oxygen to the tissues. This deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium through two major veins: the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava. Once the right atrium fills with blood, it contracts to push the blood into the right ventricle, which then pumps it to the lungs for oxygenation.

The other chambers of the heart serve different functions; the left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs, while the left ventricle is responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. The right ventricle, on the other hand, sends the deoxygenated blood to the lungs but does not receive it. This distinction is vital in understanding the flow of blood through the heart and the overall functioning of the cardiovascular system.