deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium from the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava. when the atria contract, the blood enters the right ventricle. when the ventricles contract, the blood is pumped from the heart to the lungs, through the pulmonary arteries. the oxygenated blood returns to the heart through the pulmonary veins, which are blood vessels that enter the left atrium. when the atria contract again, the blood enters the left ventricle (more muscular). when the ventricles contract again, the blood is pumped through the aorta to the rest of the body.