Human Circulatory System

Overview

• The cardiovascular system, also known as the circulatory system, is a network of organs and vessels that transport blood throughout the body.
• Its primary function is to deliver oxygen and nutrients to cells and remove waste products.

Components

• 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.
• Capillaries: tiny blood vessels where oxygen and nutrients are exchanged with cells.

Blood Flow

• Pulmonary circulation: the path of blood flow from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart.
• Systemic circulation: the path of blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body and back to the heart.

Blood Pressure

• Systolic pressure: the pressure exerted by the heart when it beats.
• Diastolic pressure: the pressure exerted by the heart when it is at rest.
• Hypertension: high blood pressure, which can lead to cardiovascular disease.

Blood Vessels

• Elastic arteries: arteries that can stretch to accommodate increased blood pressure.
• Muscular arteries: arteries that have a thick layer of smooth muscle to regulate blood flow.
• Capillary beds: networks of capillaries where oxygen and nutrient exchange occurs.

Regulation

• Autonomic nervous system: the part of the nervous system that regulates heart rate and blood pressure.
• Baroreceptors: sensors in the walls of blood vessels that detect changes in blood pressure.
• Vasodilation: the widening of blood vessels to increase blood flow.
• Vasoconstriction: the narrowing of blood vessels to decrease blood flow.

Functions

• Oxygen delivery: the transport of oxygen from the lungs to cells.
• Nutrient delivery: the transport of nutrients from the digestive system to cells.
• Waste removal: the removal of waste products from cells to the excretory organs.
• Regulation of body temperature: the transfer of heat from the core of the body to the skin.

Overview

• The cardiovascular system, also known as the circulatory system, transports blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells and removing waste products.

Heart Function

• The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body, beating around 100,000 times per day.
• It pumps around 2,000 gallons of blood daily, which is equivalent to filling a small swimming pool.

Blood Vessels

• Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, divided into elastic and muscular arteries.
• Veins are blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
• Capillaries are tiny blood vessels where oxygen and nutrients are exchanged with cells.

Blood Flow

• Pulmonary circulation is the path of blood flow from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart, where oxygenation occurs.
• Systemic circulation is the path of blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body and back to the heart, providing oxygen and nutrients to cells.

Blood Pressure

• Systolic pressure is the pressure exerted by the heart when it beats, while diastolic pressure is the pressure exerted when it is at rest.
• Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can lead to cardiovascular disease.

Regulation

• The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate and blood pressure through the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
• Baroreceptors in the walls of blood vessels detect changes in blood pressure, triggering vasodilation or vasoconstriction responses.

Functions

• The cardiovascular system delivers oxygen from the lungs to cells and nutrients from the digestive system to cells.
• It removes waste products from cells to the excretory organs and helps regulate body temperature.