Cardiovascular System Overview

Overview of the Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system, also known as the circulatory system, is a complex network of organs and vessels that transport blood throughout the body.

Functions of the Cardiovascular System

• Transports oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues
• Removes waste products from cells and tissues
• Regulates body temperature
• Maintains pH balance
• Supports immune function

Components of the Cardiovascular System

Heart

• Muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body
• Divided into four chambers: left and right atria, and left and right ventricles
• Receives deoxygenated blood from the body and pumps oxygenated blood to the body

Arteries

• Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body
• Divided into two categories: elastic arteries and muscular arteries
• Examples: aorta, pulmonary artery, carotid artery

Veins

• Blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart
• Have one-way valves to prevent backflow
• Examples: superior and inferior vena cava, pulmonary vein

Blood

• Liquid tissue that transports oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues
• Composed of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets

Blood Pressure Regulation

• Blood pressure is regulated by the autonomic nervous system
• Baroreceptors in the walls of blood vessels detect changes in blood pressure
• The brain receives signals from baroreceptors and sends signals to increase or decrease heart rate and blood vessel diameter to regulate blood pressure

Blood Circulation

• Pulmonary circulation: deoxygenated blood from the body flows to the heart, then to the lungs to pick up oxygen
• Systemic circulation: oxygenated blood from the lungs flows to the heart, then to the body
• Coronary circulation: oxygenated blood from the aorta flows to the heart muscle itself

Cardiovascular System Overview

• The cardiovascular system is a complex network of organs and vessels that transport blood throughout the body.

Functions

• Transports oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues
• Removes waste products from cells and tissues
• Regulates body temperature
• Maintains pH balance
• Supports immune function

Heart

• Muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body
• Divided into four chambers: left and right atria, and left and right ventricles
• Receives deoxygenated blood from the body and pumps oxygenated blood to the body

Blood Vessels

• Arteries: carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body
• Divided into two categories: elastic arteries and muscular arteries
• Examples: aorta, pulmonary artery, carotid artery
• Veins: carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart
• Have one-way valves to prevent backflow
• Examples: superior and inferior vena cava, pulmonary vein

Blood

• Liquid tissue that transports oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues
• Composed of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets

Blood Pressure Regulation

• Regulated by the autonomic nervous system
• Baroreceptors in the walls of blood vessels detect changes in blood pressure
• The brain receives signals from baroreceptors and sends signals to increase or decrease heart rate and blood vessel diameter to regulate blood pressure

Blood Circulation

• Pulmonary circulation: deoxygenated blood from the body flows to the heart, then to the lungs to pick up oxygen
• Systemic circulation: oxygenated blood from the lungs flows to the heart, then to the body
• Coronary circulation: oxygenated blood from the aorta flows to the heart muscle itself