The normal heart is divided into 4 chambers:

The chambers on the right side of the heart receive unoxygenated blood from the veins ("blue" blood). The chambers on the left side pump oxygen-rich ("red") blood out of the heart to the rest of the body.
Four valves act as one-way doors to direct blood flow:

A wall (septum) divides the right and left side of the heart.


This page, unless otherwise noted, © Copyright 1996, Pritchett and Hull Associates, Inc. Atlanta, GA