Left ventricle (of the heart)

The left ventricle is one of four chambers (two atria and two ventricles) in the heart. It receives oxygenated blood from the left atrium through the mitral valve, and pumps it into the aorta through the aortic valve.

The left ventricle is shorter and more conical in shape than the right ventricle. On transverse section, its concavity presents an oval or nearly circular outline. It forms a small part of the sternocostal surface and a considerable part of the diaphragmatic surface of the heart. The left ventricle also forms the apex of the heart. The left ventricle is thicker and more muscular than the right ventricle because it pumps blood at a higher pressure.