Which chamber of the heart receives oxygenated blood?

The left atrium is the chamber of the heart that receives oxygenated blood. This blood comes from the lungs via the pulmonary veins after it has been enriched with oxygen through the process of respiration. In the pulmonary circulation, blood travels from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs, where carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen. Once this oxygen-rich blood returns to the heart, it enters the left atrium before being pumped into the left ventricle, which then distributes the oxygenated blood throughout the body via systemic circulation.

The function of the left atrium is crucial for maintaining the flow of oxygenated blood, which is essential for the survival of tissues and organs. Understanding this function underlines the importance of the heart's structure and the specific roles played by each chamber.