Yes, a heart has two sides, separated by a muscular wall called the septum.
The septum is crucial because it divides the heart into the left and right sides, preventing oxygen-rich blood from mixing with oxygen-poor blood. This separation is essential for efficient circulation throughout the body.
Each side of the heart then has two chambers:
- Atrium: An upper chamber that receives blood.
- Ventricle: A lower chamber that pumps blood out of the heart.
Therefore, each side of the heart essentially functions as a separate pump:
- Right Side: Receives deoxygenated blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs to pick up oxygen.
- Left Side: Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it to the rest of the body.
In summary, the heart's two-sided structure, divided by the septum, is fundamental for its proper function of circulating oxygenated and deoxygenated blood efficiently.
