Circulatory System Overview

Circulatory System

Overview

• The circulatory system, also known as the cardiovascular system, is responsible for transporting oxygen and nutrients to cells and removing waste products.
• It consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.

Heart

• The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body.
• It is divided into four chambers: left and right atria, and left and right ventricles.
• The heart beats around 100,000 times per day, pumping approximately 2,000 gallons of blood.

Blood Vessels

• There are three types of blood vessels:
  1. Arteries: carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of the body.
  2. Veins: carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
  3. Capillaries: allow for the exchange of oxygen and nutrients with cells.

Blood

• Blood is a liquid tissue that consists of:
  1. Plasma: a liquid portion that carries proteins, nutrients, and waste products.
  2. Red Blood Cells (RBCs): carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues.
  3. White Blood Cells (WBCs): part of the immune system, helping to fight infections.
  4. Platelets: involved in blood clotting.

Blood Circulation

• The circulatory process involves:
  1. Pulmonary circulation: oxygen-depleted blood from the body returns to the heart, then to the lungs to pick up oxygen.
  2. Systemic circulation: oxygen-rich blood from the lungs returns to the heart, then is pumped to the rest of the body.

Functions

• The circulatory system performs several critical functions:
  1. Oxygenation: delivers oxygen to cells and tissues.
  2. Nutrient delivery: transports nutrients from the digestive system to cells.
  3. Waste removal: removes waste products from cells and tissues.
  4. Regulation of body temperature: helps to maintain a stable body temperature.
  5. Maintenance of pH balance: helps to regulate the body's acid-base balance.

Circulatory System

Overview

• Responsible for transporting oxygen and nutrients to cells and removing waste products
• Consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood

Heart

• Muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body
• Divided into four chambers: left and right atria, and left and right ventricles
• Beats around 100,000 times per day, pumping approximately 2,000 gallons of blood

Blood Vessels

• Three types of blood vessels:
  • Arteries: carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of the body
  • Veins: carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart
  • Capillaries: allow for the exchange of oxygen and nutrients with cells

Blood

• Liquid tissue consisting of:
  • Plasma: liquid portion that carries proteins, nutrients, and waste products
  • Red Blood Cells (RBCs): carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues
  • White Blood Cells (WBCs): part of the immune system, helping to fight infections
  • Platelets: involved in blood clotting

Blood Circulation

• Pulmonary circulation: oxygen-depleted blood from the body returns to the heart, then to the lungs to pick up oxygen
• Systemic circulation: oxygen-rich blood from the lungs returns to the heart, then is pumped to the rest of the body

Functions

• Oxygenation: delivers oxygen to cells and tissues
• Nutrient delivery: transports nutrients from the digestive system to cells
• Waste removal: removes waste products from cells and tissues
• Regulation of body temperature: helps to maintain a stable body temperature
• Maintenance of pH balance: helps to regulate the body's acid-base balance