What are the upper chambers of the heart known as?

The upper chambers of the heart are known as the atria. Each atrium serves as a receiving chamber for blood returning to the heart. The right atrium collects deoxygenated blood from the body through the superior and inferior vena cavae, while the left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins. The atria play a crucial role in the overall function of the heart by ensuring that blood is pooled and then pumped into the lower chambers, or ventricles, for distribution to the rest of the body or back to the lungs for oxygenation.

In contrast, the ventricles are the lower chambers responsible for pumping blood out of the heart. The septum is a wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart, and the myocardium refers to the thick muscular layer of the heart wall that contracts to pump blood. Understanding the structure and function of each chamber is vital for comprehending how the heart works to circulate blood.