College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

Which part of the heart is responsible for pumping blood into the aorta?

1. Left atrium

2. Right ventricle

3. Left ventricle

4. Right atrium

The correct answer is: Left ventricle

The left ventricle is the part of the heart responsible for pumping blood into the aorta. It plays a crucial role in the circulatory system by receiving oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium and then contracting to push this blood into the aorta, which distributes it to the rest of the body. The left ventricle has thick muscular walls that enable it to generate the high pressure needed to propel blood through the aorta and into systemic circulation. In contrast, the left atrium receives blood returning from the lungs via the pulmonary veins. The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery. Lastly, the right atrium collects deoxygenated blood from the body through the superior and inferior vena cavae before sending it to the right ventricle. Each part of the heart has a specific function, but the left ventricle is uniquely structured and positioned to carry out the task of delivering blood into the aorta effectively.