Which heart chamber is primarily responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the body?

The left ventricle is primarily responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the body. After the lungs oxygenate the blood, it returns to the heart and enters the left atrium. From the left atrium, the blood moves into the left ventricle, which has thick muscular walls designed to generate the high pressure necessary to propel blood throughout the entire systemic circulation. This chamber contracts forcefully during systole, sending oxygen-rich blood into the aorta and subsequently to all parts of the body.

In contrast, the right atrium collects deoxygenated blood from the body, while the right ventricle pumps this blood to the lungs for oxygenation. The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs but does not pump it to the body; that task is assigned to the left ventricle. Thus, the left ventricle plays a crucial role in maintaining the overall circulation and ensuring that tissues receive the oxygen they need for proper function.