Which chambers form the pulmonary side of the heart?

• A. Left atrium and left ventricle
• B. All four chambers
• C. None of the chambers
• D. Right atrium and right ventricle

Answer: (D)

Pulmonary circulation is handled by the right side of the heart. The chambers on this side are the right atrium and the right ventricle. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body via the vena cavae and coronary sinus, then blood moves into the right ventricle, which pumps it to the lungs through the pulmonary artery for oxygenation. Oxygenated blood returns to the heart via the pulmonary veins into the left atrium, which is part of the systemic side, not the pulmonary side. So the pulmonary side consists of the right atrium and right ventricle.