6.8 Right vs Left Side

Question 1

Which side of the heart is responsible for systemic circulation?

Answer 1

The left side of the heart.

Question 2

Which side of the heart is responsible for pulmonary circulation?

Answer 2

The right side of the heart.

Question 3

Why does the left ventricle need to contract more forcefully than the right ventricle?

Answer 3

It must pump blood throughout the entire body—from head to toes—requiring high pressure.

Question 4

Where does blood from the left ventricle go?

Answer 4

Into the aorta to supply the systemic circulation.

Question 5

Where does blood from the right ventricle go?

Answer 5

Into the pulmonary artery to the lungs.

Question 6

Why is the pulmonary circulation a lower-pressure system?

Answer 6

The lungs are close to the heart, so blood doesn’t have to travel far.

Question 7

What is the approximate systolic pressure in the left ventricle or aorta during systole?

Answer 7

About 120 mmHg.

Question 8

What is the approximate diastolic pressure in the aorta?

Answer 8

About 80 mmHg.

Question 9

What is the approximate systolic pressure in the right ventricle during systole?

Answer 9

About 20–25 mmHg.

Question 10

What is the approximate systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery?

Answer 10

About 20–25 mmHg, slightly higher than in the right ventricle.

Question 11

What is the approximate diastolic pressure in the pulmonary circulation?

Answer 11

About 7 mmHg.

Question 12

How does pulmonary arterial pressure compare to systemic arterial pressure?

Answer 12

It’s about one-sixth to one-seventh of systemic pressure.

Question 13

Why is the right ventricle wall thinner than the left ventricle wall?

Answer 13

It doesn’t need to generate as much pressure to pump blood to the lungs.

Question 14

What term describes the resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood?

Answer 14

Afterload.

Question 15

How does afterload differ between the right and left ventricles?

Answer 15

The left ventricle has a much greater afterload than the right ventricle.

Question 16

What causes the pressure difference between systemic and pulmonary circulation?

Answer 16

Systemic circulation has longer vessels and higher resistance; pulmonary circulation is short and low-resistance.