Cardiovascular System Overview

Cardiovascular System

• The aorta transports oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body.
• The superior vena cava carries deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the heart.
• The inferior vena cava carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart.
• The pulmonary artery carries blood from the heart to the lungs.
• The pulmonary vein carries oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the heart.
• The right atrium receives oxygen-poor blood from the body and pumps it to the right ventricle.
• The left atrium receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it to the left ventricle.
• The right ventricle pumps oxygen-poor blood to the lungs.
• The left ventricle pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body.
• The aortic valve controls blood flow into the aorta.
• The pulmonary valve helps oxygen-poor blood reach the lungs.
• The tricuspid valve controls blood flow from the heart's top chamber (right atrium) to the bottom chamber (right ventricle).
• Arteries carry blood away from the heart.
• Veins carry blood to the heart.
• Capillaries are thin-walled blood vessels where gas exchange occurs.
• Blood pressure has systolic (highest) and diastolic (lowest) components.
• Systemic circulation carries oxygenated blood throughout the body.

Hepatobiliary System

• The liver is involved in metabolism, converting nutrients and detoxifying substances.
• The liver produces bile, which aids in fat digestion.
• The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile.
• Layers of the heart wall include epicardium (outermost), myocardium (middle), and endocardium (innermost).
• Liver cells (hepatocytes) are the functional units of the liver.
• Kupffer cells are resident macrophages that remove foreign debris.
• The liver filters toxins, regulates blood glucose levels, and produces immune factors.

Urinary System

• Kidneys remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood.
• Kidneys help maintain homeostasis in the body.
• Kidneys regulate acid-base balance, electrolyte concentrations, and extracellular fluid volume.
• The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
• Kidneys are responsible for maintaining blood pressure.
• Causes of kidney problems/diseases include congenital abnormalities, diabetes, and high blood pressure.