Labelled Diagram of the Human Heart (JAMB Biology)

The human heart is one of the most frequently examined structures in JAMB Biology. Learn the labels and the flow of blood and you'll answer most questions on sight.

The four chambers

• Right atrium — receives deoxygenated blood from the body via the vena cava.
• Right ventricle — pumps that blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery.
• Left atrium — receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary vein.
• Left ventricle — pumps oxygenated blood to the whole body through the aorta. It has the thickest wall because it works hardest — a favourite JAMB question.

Flow of blood (memorise this order)

Body → vena cava → right atrium → right ventricle → pulmonary artery → lungs → pulmonary vein → left atrium → left ventricle → aorta → body.

Common JAMB questions

1. Which chamber has the thickest muscular wall? → left ventricle.
2. Which vessel carries oxygenated blood away from the heart? → aorta.
3. The valve between the left atrium and left ventricle is the... → bicuspid (mitral) valve.

Study the labelled diagram above until you can reproduce it from memory — then test yourself with real past questions.

Ready to practise? AceJAMB has 100,000+ past questions with an AI tutor that explains every answer. Start practising free.