What is the primary role of the right ventricle?

The primary role of the right ventricle is to send oxygen-poor blood to the lungs. This is a crucial function in the circulatory system, where the right ventricle receives deoxygenated blood from the body through the right atrium. Once the right ventricle contracts, it propels this blood into the pulmonary artery, directing it towards the lungs. In the lungs, the blood undergoes gas exchange, where it picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide, making it ready to be returned to the heart and then pumped out to the rest of the body.

This function is essential for maintaining efficient pulmonary circulation. The right ventricle's ability to effectively move blood to the lungs ensures that the body receives the oxygen it needs for cellular metabolism, while also removing carbon dioxide, a waste product of respiration. Therefore, the correct answer encompasses the vital responsibility of the right ventricle in supporting respiratory function and overall circulation.