The Circulatory System /Cardiovascular System Anatomy
Overview
In this lesson, we introduce the anatomy (structure) and physiology (functions and relationships) of the cardiovascular system.
Objective
Gain an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular (circulatory) system.
What You'll Get
Define related vocabulary. Give alternative names for the cardiovascular system. Describe the system’s components and their functions, plus the heart’s primary function. Explain how the cardiovascular system works with other systems in the body. Describe the heart’s circulation process, including the pulmonary and systemic circuits.
Vocabulary
Aorta, arteries, atria, blood, blood vessels, capillaries, cardiovascular system, circulatory system, heart, hypertension, pulmonary circuit, systemic circuit, vascular, vascular system, veins, venae cavae, ventricles
Vocabulary

- AORTA – Oxygen-rich blood leaves the heart via the aorta (the largest artery), which branches into a network of smaller arteries
- ARTERIES – The blood vessels that transport oxygen-rich blood and nutrients FROM THE HEART to the body
- ATRIA (plural of Atrium) – The two upper chambers of the heart
- BLOOD – A fluid that transports nutrients, hormones and oxygen needed to sustain tissues and organs, and takes waste products to the kidneys and liver
- BLOOD VESSELS – Tubular channels through which blood circulates
- CAPILLARIES – The smallest and most numerous of the blood vessels (source); they carry blood between arteries and veins (source)
- CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM – The heart, blood vessels and blood
- CIRCULATORY SYSTEM – Another name for the cardiovascular system
- HEART – Organ that pumps blood through the body via arteries and veins
- HYPERTENSION – Chronically high blood pressure
- PULMONARY CIRCUIT – The path of circulation between the heart and lungs
- SYSTEMIC CIRCUIT – The path of circulation between the heart and the rest of the body (excluding the lungs)
- VASCULAR – Refers to vessels for circulating fluids
- VASCULAR SYSTEM – Another name for the cardiovascular system
- VEINS – The blood vessels that transport blood TO THE HEART from the body
- VENAE CAVAE – The two largest veins in the body; they return blood from the body to the heart
- VENTRICLES – The two lower chambers in the heart
Introduction

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