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

Learn about the cardiovascular system, its functions, and components. Understand how it transports oxygen and nutrients, removes waste products, and regulates body temperature.