The heart is the primary organ of the circulatory system. It is a muscular organ that pumps blood through vessels to deliver oxygen to the body. It is divided into 4 chambers:
The chambers on the right side of the heart receive oxygen-poor blood from the veins, often referred to as “blue” blood. The chambers on the left side pump oxygen-rich, “red” blood out of the heart to the rest of the body.
Blood flows through the chambers through valves that act as one-way doors to direct blood flow.
The heart has a muscular wall called the septum that separates the right and left sides of the heart. In a normal heart, this helps to keep the "blue" and "red" blood separate so they don't mix.
The BC Children's Hospital Heart Hub is a clinically reliable and accurate online resource for patients and families living with congenital and acquired heart disease.
Copyright © 2024
Terms and Conditions
