What does ventricle mean?
A ventricle is a chamber or cavity in an organ. In the heart, the ventricles are the two powerful lower chambers: the right one sends blood to the lungs, while the left sends oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. In the brain, the ventricles are connected spaces filled with cerebrospinal fluid, which helps cushion and protect the brain and spinal cord. The word is specialized and belongs mainly to anatomy, medicine, and biology, although it sometimes appears in discussions of heart failure and neurological research. Its distinction between receiving and pumping blood is useful: the atria receive blood, whereas the ventricles propel it outward. The related adjective “ventricular” is common in medical terms such as “ventricular septal defect” and “ventricular tachycardia.”
nounA ventricle is a chamber or cavity within an organ, especially one of the two lower chambers of the heart that pump blood out toward the lungs or the rest of the body. In the brain, ventricles are communicating cavities containing cerebrospinal fluid.
- Either of the two large lower chambers of the heart, which receive blood and propel it to the lungs or through the systemic circulation.
- One of the communicating cavities within the brain that contain and circulate cerebrospinal fluid.
"The left ventricle pumped oxygen-rich blood into the aorta and around the body."
"An echocardiogram showed that the left ventricle was functioning normally."
"The fourth ventricle lies between the cerebellum and the pons."
The regular plural is used when referring to the chambers of the heart or the cavities of the brain.
"The right and left ventricles have different pumping responsibilities."
Your heart's two ventricles are its outbound pumps: one sends blood to the lungs, and the other sends it to the rest of your body.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ventricle come from?
Ventricle comes through Latin from “ventriculus,” a diminutive of “venter,” meaning belly or cavity. The word entered English in the 16th century and was initially used for anatomical cavities, especially in the heart and brain. Its relatives include “ventral,” meaning relating to the belly or underside, and “ventriculus,” a Latin-derived term used in anatomy and zoology.
Related word forms
How ventricle is actually used
The term is formal and primarily used in anatomy and medicine. In ordinary discussion, it is most often encountered in connection with the heart or brain.