What are the lower chambers of the heart called?

The lower chambers of the heart are known as ventricles. There are two ventricles: the left ventricle and the right ventricle. The primary function of the ventricles is to pump blood out of the heart. The right ventricle sends deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation through the pulmonary artery, while the left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body via the aorta. This distinction is crucial in understanding the heart's anatomy as it relates to its function.

In contrast, the atria are the upper chambers of the heart, which receive blood from the body and lungs before it is sent to the ventricles. The aorta is not a chamber of the heart but rather the major artery that carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body. The myocardium refers to the muscular tissue of the heart itself, which is responsible for the contraction and pumping action of the heart but is not a chamber. Understanding the roles of these components is critical for anyone studying cardiovascular physiology and function.