The Cardiovascular System, also known as the circulatory system, is a vital organ system responsible for the transport of blood, oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste productsthroughout the body. It plays a key role in maintaining homeostasisand ensuring the proper functioning of all other organ systems.
Main Components of the CVS
Heart
A muscular, four-chambered organ (right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle).
Acts as a pump to circulate blood.
Has valves to prevent backflow (tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, aortic).
Blood Vessels
Arteries: Carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart.
Veins: Return oxygen-poor blood to the heart.
Capillaries: Tiny vessels for exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste.
Blood
Consists of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, andplatelets.
Red cells carry oxygen; white cells fight infection; platelets help in clotting.
Four-chambered organ
1. Right Atrium
Receives deoxygenated blood from the body via:
Superior vena cava (from upper body)
Inferior vena cava (from lower body)
Pumps blood into the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve.
2. Right Ventricle
Receives blood from the right atrium.
Pumps deoxygenated blood to thelungs through the pulmonary artery.
The pulmonary valve prevents backflow into the ventricle.
3. Left Atrium
Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins.
Pumps blood into the left ventricle through the mitral (bicuspid) valve.
4. Left Ventricle
Receives oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium.
Pumps blood to the entire body via the aorta.
The aortic valve prevents blood from returning into the ventricle.
ЁЯУЭNote: The left ventricle has the thickest muscular wall, because it needs to generate high pressure to send blood throughout the body.
Functions of the CVS
Oxygen and nutrient transportto tissues
Removal of carbon dioxide and waste products
Hormone deliveryto target organs
Temperature regulation
Immunity(via white blood cells)
Clot formationto prevent blood loss during injury
Common Diseases of the CVS
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Atherosclerosis (Artery narrowing due to plaque)
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Arrhythmias (Irregular heartbeats)
Stroke (due to blocked or ruptured cerebral blood vessels)
The circulatory system is responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body. It also plays a key role in maintaining body temperature and pH balance.
Major Components:
Heart:
The pump that drives blood through the circulatory system.
Blood Vessels:
Arteries, veins, and capillaries that carry blood to and from the heart and various tissues.
Blood:
The medium that carries cells, nutrients, gases, and wastes.
Key Processes:
Blood circulation, gas exchange, nutrient delivery, and waste removal.