Which chamber of the heart receives blood from systemic veins?

The right atrium is the chamber of the heart that receives deoxygenated blood from the systemic veins. This blood is usually collected through the superior and inferior vena cavae, which bring blood from the upper and lower parts of the body, respectively. As blood returns to the heart after circulating through the body, it is low in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide.

Once the right atrium receives this blood, it then contracts to send the blood into the right ventricle, which pumps it to the lungs for oxygenation. Understanding this process is crucial for grasping the overall circulation of blood in the body, particularly the differences between the roles of the various heart chambers. The left atrium, right ventricle, and left ventricle have different functions, focusing on oxygenated blood distribution or pumping blood to the body or lungs.