Heart Chambers: Understanding Blood Flow Order & Function

The four chambers of the heart, in order of blood flow, are:

1. The superior and inferior vena cava: These two large veins carry deoxygenated blood from the body back into the heart.

2. The right atrium: The right atrium is the first chamber of the heart that the deoxygenated blood enters.

3. The tricuspid valve: The tricuspid valve separates the right atrium from the right ventricle. It opens to allow blood to flow from the atrium to the ventricle.

4. The right ventricle: The right ventricle is the chamber of the heart that pumps the deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

5. The pulmonary valve: The pulmonary valve separates the right ventricle from the pulmonary artery. It opens to allow blood to flow from the ventricle to the lungs.

6. The pulmonary arteries: The two pulmonary arteries carry the deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.

7. The lungs: In the lungs, the deoxygenated blood picks up oxygen and becomes oxygenated.

8. The pulmonary veins: The four pulmonary veins carry the oxygenated blood from the lungs back into the heart.

9. The left atrium: The left atrium is the first chamber of the heart that the oxygenated blood enters.

10. The mitral valve: The mitral valve separates the left atrium from the left ventricle. It opens to allow blood to flow from the atrium to the ventricle.

11. The left ventricle: The left ventricle is the chamber of the heart that pumps the oxygenated blood to the body.

12. The aortic valve: The aortic valve separates the left ventricle from the aorta. It opens to allow blood to flow from the ventricle to the body.

13. The aorta: The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It carries the oxygenated blood from the heart to the body.