Which heart structure receives arterial blood from the pulmonary veins?

The heart structure that receives arterial blood from the pulmonary veins is the left atrium. Blood that has been oxygenated in the lungs travels back to the heart through the pulmonary veins, which specifically deliver this oxygen-rich blood to the left atrium. From the left atrium, blood moves into the left ventricle, which then pumps it into the aorta and out to the rest of the body.

The right atrium, in contrast, receives deoxygenated blood from the body via the superior and inferior vena cavae, while the right ventricle receives this blood from the right atrium and pumps it to the lungs for oxygenation. The left ventricle serves to distribute oxygenated blood throughout the body, but it does not directly receive blood from the pulmonary veins. Understanding these pathways is crucial for recognizing the role of each chamber of the heart in circulation.