The Cardiovascular System

The Cardiovascular System

• The cardiovascular system is responsible for transporting oxygen, carbon dioxide, waste products, nutrients, and hormones throughout the body.
• It consists of the heart, blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries), and blood.

Structure of the Heart

• The heart has major vessels that supply it with deoxygenated blood from the body.
• The heart also has major vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of the body.

Circulatory Systems

• The cardiovascular system is composed of two major circulatory systems: the right side and the left side of the heart.

Right Side of the Heart

• The right side pumps blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery and pulmonary capillaries.
• It returns blood to the left atrium through the pulmonary veins.

Left Side of the Heart

• The left side pumps blood to the rest of the body through the aorta, arteries, arterioles, and systemic capillaries.
• It returns blood to the right atrium through the venules and great veins (Superior and Inferior vena cava).

Functions of the Circulatory System

• Carries blood throughout the body.
• Transports hormones, immune system components, coagulation molecules, enzymes, and more.
• Exchanges nutrients, waste products, and gases between blood vessels and tissues.
• Regulates blood pressure.
• Directs blood flow in blood vessels.