Why Does the Left Ventricle Have a Thicker Myocardial Wall

Question

Why does the left ventricle have a thicker myocardial wall?
A)It has to pump blood to the lungs.
B)It has to pump blood to the body.
C)It has to pump blood to the left atrium.
D)It has to pump blood to the liver.

Accepted Answer

The left ventricle has a thicker myocardial wall because it pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body, which requires more force and pressure to circulate through the systemic circulation. The right ventricle, on the other hand, pumps oxygen-poor blood to the lungs, which requires less force and pressure, and thus has a thinner myocardial wall. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the left ventricle does not pump blood to the lungs, left atrium or liver.