Ventricle

/ˈvɛntrɪkəl/ noun

Definition

One of the main chambers of the heart that pumps blood out to the body or lungs; a cavity in the brain containing cerebrospinal fluid.

Etymology

From Latin 'ventriculus,' diminutive of 'venter' (belly, stomach). Originally meant 'little belly,' which described the shape of these chambers. Medical use dates to ancient Roman anatomical texts.

Kelly Says

Your left ventricle is your heart's powerhouse - it has to pump blood all the way to your toes and back up to your head, so its muscular walls are three times thicker than your right ventricle, which only needs to push blood to your nearby lungs. Brain ventricles were once thought to house the soul.

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