TH-030418

From Food & Medicine Encyclopedia


Cardiovascular System[edit]

Diagram of the human cardiovascular system

The cardiovascular system, also known as the circulatory system, is an organ system that permits blood to circulate and transport nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones, and blood cells to and from the cells in the body to provide nourishment and help in fighting diseases, stabilize temperature and pH, and maintain homeostasis.

Components[edit]

The cardiovascular system consists of the following major components:

Heart[edit]

The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system. It is located in the thoracic cavity, between the lungs, and is divided into four chambers: the left and right atria and the left and right ventricles.

Blood Vessels[edit]

Blood vessels are the channels through which blood is distributed to body tissues. There are three major types of blood vessels:

  • Arteries - carry blood away from the heart.
  • Veins - carry blood back to the heart.
  • Capillaries - enable the exchange of water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and many other nutrients and waste substances between blood and surrounding tissues.

Blood[edit]

Blood is a specialized bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the body's cells and transports waste products away from those same cells. It is composed of blood cells suspended in blood plasma.

Function[edit]

The primary function of the cardiovascular system is to transport nutrients, gases, and waste products around the body. It also plays a role in maintaining body temperature and pH balance.

Circulation[edit]

The cardiovascular system is responsible for two types of circulation:

  • Systemic circulation - the part of the cardiovascular system which carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body, and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
  • Pulmonary circulation - the portion of the cardiovascular system which carries deoxygenated blood away from the heart, to the lungs, and returns oxygenated blood back to the heart.

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