Cardiovascular System Functions and Components

Functions

The cardiovascular system performs the following functions:

• Transports oxygen and nutrients from the lungs and digestive system to the body's tissues
• Transports carbon dioxide and waste products from the tissues to the lungs and excretory organs
• Regulates body temperature
• Maintains healthy blood pressure

Components

The cardiovascular system consists of:

• Heart: a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body
• Arteries: blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart
• Veins: blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart
• Blood: a liquid tissue that transports oxygen, nutrients, and waste products
• Blood vessels: arteries, veins, and capillaries that transport blood throughout the body

Heart Structure

The heart has the following structures:

• Atria: upper chambers that receive blood
• Ventricles: lower chambers that pump blood out of the heart
• Septum: a wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart
• Valves: structures that prevent backflow of blood

Blood Vessel Types

• Arterioles: small arteries that branch off from larger arteries
• Capillaries: tiny blood vessels where oxygen and nutrient exchange occurs
• Venules: small veins that merge to form larger veins

Blood Pressure Regulation

• Baroreceptors: sensors in the blood vessels that detect changes in blood pressure
• Sympathetic nervous system: stimulates the heart to increase blood pressure
• Parasympathetic nervous system: slows down the heart to decrease blood pressure

Blood Composition

• Plasma: the liquid portion of blood that carries proteins, nutrients, and waste products
• Red blood cells: carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues
• White blood cells: part of the immune system that fights infection
• Platelets: involved in blood clotting

Cardiovascular System Functions

• Transports oxygen and nutrients from lungs and digestive system to body tissues
• Transports carbon dioxide and waste products from tissues to lungs and excretory organs
• Regulates body temperature
• Maintains healthy blood pressure

Cardiovascular System Components

• Heart: muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body
• Arteries: blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart
• Veins: blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart
• Blood: liquid tissue that transports oxygen, nutrients, and waste products
• Blood vessels: arteries, veins, and capillaries that transport blood throughout the body

Heart Structure

• Atria: upper chambers that receive blood
• Ventricles: lower chambers that pump blood out of the heart
• Septum: wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart
• Valves: structures that prevent backflow of blood

Blood Vessel Types

• Arterioles: small arteries that branch off from larger arteries
• Capillaries: tiny blood vessels where oxygen and nutrient exchange occurs
• Venules: small veins that merge to form larger veins

Blood Pressure Regulation

• Baroreceptors: sensors in blood vessels that detect changes in blood pressure
• Sympathetic nervous system: stimulates the heart to increase blood pressure
• Parasympathetic nervous system: slows down the heart to decrease blood pressure

Blood Composition

• Plasma: liquid portion of blood that carries proteins, nutrients, and waste products
• Red blood cells: carry oxygen from lungs to tissues
• White blood cells: part of the immune system that fights infection
• Platelets: involved in blood clotting

Learn about the functions and components of the cardiovascular system, including transportation, regulation, and maintenance of body processes. Understand the role of the heart, arteries, and more.