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The circulatory system, also called the cardiovascular system is responsible for the circulation of oxygen in the body. The system consists of the heart and blood vessels. The system provides blood to all the body’s tissues so they can function. It pumps blood from the heart to the lungs to get oxygen. The heart then sends oxygenated blood through arteries to the rest of the body. The veins carry oxygen-poor blood back to the heart to start the circulation process again. The cardiovascular system is important for healthy organs, muscles and tissues. Cardiovascular is a combination of two words: Cardio which means heart, and vascular, which refers to blood vessels.
Cardiovascular System Structure
The heart is a very integral part of the circulatory system since it fuels the system that brings the cells what they need and takes away from them what they don’t. The heart is located in the middle of the chest. It connects to a network of blood vessels all over the body of the living being. The blood vessels going into and out of the heart are the largest in the body. They connect to smaller and smaller blood vessels as they get farther away from the heart to deliver oxygen and remove waste throughout the entire body. Capillaries, the tiniest of blood vessels, transfer oxygen, nutrients and waste between the blood vessels and the tissue cells. Blood vessels are made up of layers of connective tissue, muscle and elastic fibres. The heart has muscle and other tissues. Blood flows through its four hollow chambers.
Cardiovascular System Function
The function of the cardiovascular system is to make sure that the body gets enough oxygen, nutrients, and other elements it needs and gets rid of waste things. Day and night, even while we are asleep, the heart moves blood through the body. The heart circulates about 2,000 gallons of blood every day. The blood vessels that bring blood to the heart are called veins, while those that carry blood away from the heart are called arteries. The blood vessels also take away waste, like carbon dioxide, from the cells. Blood circulation always follows the same route through the heart. Valves along the route make sure the blood is going the right way. There are two important circulation processes in the body, as defined below.
Pulmonary circulation: Blood without oxygen comes into the right side of the heart and is sent to the lungs to get oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide. Then the oxygenated blood comes back through the left side of the heart.
Systemic circulation: Oxygenated blood from the lungs, returned through the heart’s left side, is pushed out to the rest of the body’s cells so they can receive oxygen and nutrients. The cycle starts again when blood without oxygen goes to the right side of the heart.
During each cardiac cycle, two prominent sounds are produced, which can be easily heard through a stethoscope. The first heart sound is associated with the closure of the tricuspid and bicuspid valves, whereas the second heart sound is associated with the closure of the semilunar valves. These sounds are of clinical diagnostic significance.
Conditions Affecting The Circulatory System
Many conditions can affect the health of the circulatory system, such as:
- Aneurysms: Aneurysms occur when an artery wall weakens and enlarges. The weak spot can bulge as blood moves through the artery. The weak spot may tear, causing a life-threatening rupture.
- High blood pressure: The arteries work hard to circulate blood throughout the body. When the pressure, i.e., the force of blood against the blood vessel walls, gets too high, high blood pressure is developed.
- Plaque deposits: High cholesterol and diabetes can lead to fat and other substances collecting in the blood. These substances form deposits called plaques on artery walls. This condition is atherosclerosis or narrowed or hardened arteries.
- Venous disease: Venous diseases tend to affect veins in the lower body. Problems like chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins occur when blood can’t flow back to the heart and pools in leg veins.Â
The above conditions can be prevented or controlled by doing adequate physical activity, eating a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fibre and low in saturated fats and processed foods, finding healthy ways to reduce stress and managing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Conclusion
The circulatory system, also called the cardiovascular system is responsible for the circulation of oxygen in the body. The system consists of the heart and blood vessels. The system provides blood to all the body’s tissues so they can function. It pumps blood from the heart to the lungs to get oxygen. The circulation occurs in two phases: Pulmonary circulation, in which the oxygenated blood comes back through the left side of the heart. Then the oxygenated blood comes back through the left side of the heart, and Systemic circulation in which the oxygenated blood is pushed out to the rest of the body’s cells so they can receive oxygen and nutrients.
