Either of the two lower chambers of the heart that pump blood out into systemic or pulmonary circulation.
Structure
The left ventricle has a thick muscular wall, roughly three times thicker than the right, because it must generate pressure to push blood through the entire body. The right ventricle has a thinner crescent-shaped wall and pumps blood into the lower-pressure pulmonary circuit.
Function
During systole both ventricles contract simultaneously. The right ejects blood into the pulmonary artery; the left ejects it into the aorta. The tricuspid and mitral valves close to prevent backflow into the atria.
Conduction
Purkinje fibers spread the electrical impulse rapidly through the ventricular walls, producing a coordinated contraction from apex to base.
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Ventricle starts with V and ends with E. Browse other body parts along the same letter.
Body Parts that contain a letter from "Ventricle":