When the left atrium contracts, where does blood flow next?

When the left atrium contracts, blood flows into the left ventricle. This process is part of the cardiac cycle, specifically during the phase known as atrial systole. The left atrium receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs through the pulmonary veins. When it contracts, it increases the pressure within the left atrium, pushing the blood through the mitral valve into the left ventricle.

The left ventricle then plays a crucial role in the circulatory system, as it is responsible for pumping the oxygenated blood into the aorta, which distributes it throughout the body. Understanding the sequence of blood flow through the heart is essential for grasping basic cardiovascular physiology.