Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment
Which cardiac chamber contains the most muscle mass in the heart?
Left atrium
Right atrium
Left ventricle
Right ventricle
The correct answer is: Left ventricle
The left ventricle contains the most muscle mass in the heart primarily because it is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood throughout the entire body. To achieve this, the left ventricle must generate high levels of pressure to overcome systemic vascular resistance, which requires a thicker muscular wall compared to other chambers. This muscular structure allows the left ventricle to contract forcefully and efficiently. In contrast, the atria, including both the left and right atria, have thinner walls because they primarily function to receive blood returning to the heart rather than pump it against high pressure. The right ventricle, while also muscular, has a wall that is thinner than that of the left ventricle because it only pumps blood to the lungs, which requires less pressure. Therefore, the unique function and systemic demands placed on the left ventricle lead to its differentiation as the chamber with the most muscle mass.