THE
CARDIOVASCULAR
SYSTEM
, Overview of the
cardiovascular System
In simple terms, "cardiovascular" refers to the heart
and the blood vessels in the body. The heart's
pumping action is responsible for moving blood
throughout the blood vessels. There are two circuits
formed by the blood vessels. The pulmonary circuit
sends oxygen-poor blood to the lungs to receive
oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide. The systemic
circuit, on the other hand, transports oxygen-rich
blood and nutrients to all the cells in the body while
removing waste products. If circulation is disrupted,
tissues would be deprived of oxygen and nutrients,
FIGURE 1
leading to the accumulation of waste products. This
Anterior view of a
deprivation would cause cells to undergo irreversible
human heart.
changes and ultimately result in their death. The
heart functions as two pumps: the right side pumps
blood to the pulmonary circuit, while the blood returns
to the left side of the heart. Simultaneously, the left
side of the heart pumps blood through the systemic
circuit, and the blood returns to the right side of the
heart.
FIGURE 2
The heart is posterior to
the sternum, where it
rests on the diaphragm.
Sternum
Base of heart Heart
Apex of heart
Diaphragm
CARDIOVASCULAR
SYSTEM
, Overview of the
cardiovascular System
In simple terms, "cardiovascular" refers to the heart
and the blood vessels in the body. The heart's
pumping action is responsible for moving blood
throughout the blood vessels. There are two circuits
formed by the blood vessels. The pulmonary circuit
sends oxygen-poor blood to the lungs to receive
oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide. The systemic
circuit, on the other hand, transports oxygen-rich
blood and nutrients to all the cells in the body while
removing waste products. If circulation is disrupted,
tissues would be deprived of oxygen and nutrients,
FIGURE 1
leading to the accumulation of waste products. This
Anterior view of a
deprivation would cause cells to undergo irreversible
human heart.
changes and ultimately result in their death. The
heart functions as two pumps: the right side pumps
blood to the pulmonary circuit, while the blood returns
to the left side of the heart. Simultaneously, the left
side of the heart pumps blood through the systemic
circuit, and the blood returns to the right side of the
heart.
FIGURE 2
The heart is posterior to
the sternum, where it
rests on the diaphragm.
Sternum
Base of heart Heart
Apex of heart
Diaphragm
