What is the primary role of the right side of the heart in the circulatory system?

The primary role of the right side of the heart is to pump deoxygenated blood to the lungs. This process is a crucial part of the circulatory system, as it enables the removal of carbon dioxide from the blood and allows for the uptake of oxygen.

Deoxygenated blood, which is low in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide, returns to the right atrium of the heart via the superior and inferior vena cavae. From the right atrium, blood flows into the right ventricle, which then contracts to propel the blood into the pulmonary arteries. These arteries transport the blood to the lungs, where gas exchange occurs in the alveoli. In the lungs, carbon dioxide is expelled, and oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream.

This process is vital for maintaining the body's oxygen levels and supporting cellular respiration, where cells utilize oxygen to produce energy.