Which chambers of the heart are identified as ventricles?

The ventricles are the lower chambers of the heart responsible for pumping blood out of the heart to various parts of the body. There are two ventricles: the right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation, while the left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. This function is critical in the circulatory system, as it ensures that oxygen-rich blood reaches tissues and organs, supporting their metabolic needs.

The context provided in the other options can clarify the distinction. The upper chambers of the heart refer to the atria, which serve a different purpose by receiving blood returning to the heart. The chambers that store blood before it goes to the lungs do not exist as a specific functional distinction; rather, the right atrium receives blood from the body before it moves into the right ventricle, which then pumps the blood to the lungs. Thus, option C correctly identifies the role of the ventricles in the circulatory system.