The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs through the pulmonary valve. It forms most of the front (sternocostal) surface of the heart and is crescent-shaped in cross-section, wrapping around the left ventricle. Its wall is thin, only about 3-5 mm, because the pulmonary circulation works at low pressure.
| Location | Anterior part of the heart, directly behind the sternum, between the right atrium and the pulmonary trunk. |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Cardiac plexus; Vagus nerves (parasympathetic, slows rate); Sympathetic cardiac nerves from cervical and upper thoracic (T1-T4) ganglia (raise rate and force) |
| Blood Supply | Right coronary artery (right marginal branch); Conus artery; Left anterior descending artery (anterior wall and septal branches) |
| Venous drainage |
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| Lymphatic drainage |
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Ejects the same volume of blood as the left ventricle, but at much lower pressure, into the pulmonary trunk so that blood can pick up oxygen and release carbon dioxide in the lungs.
Because it is thin-walled, the right ventricle copes poorly with sudden rises in pressure, as in a large pulmonary embolism, and can fail acutely. Chronic lung disease can lead to right ventricular hypertrophy and failure (cor pulmonale). Its position behind the sternum makes it the chamber most often injured in penetrating chest trauma.
Right ventricular enlargement and failure caused by lung disease or pulmonary hypertension. It leads to leg swelling, raised neck veins and liver congestion.
An inherited condition where right ventricular muscle is replaced by fat and fibrous tissue. It can cause dangerous ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death in young athletes.
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