Blood circulation

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Blood circulation refers to the continuous movement of blood through the cardiovascular system, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to all cells and tissues of the body. This process is vital for life and is regulated by the heart, which acts as a pump to maintain the flow of blood.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Blood circulation is a complex process that involves several components, including the heart, blood vessels, and blood. The heart pumps the blood, which carries oxygen and nutrients, to different parts of the body through a network of blood vessels. This process is essential for the survival and function of all cells and tissues in the body.

Components of Blood Circulation[edit | edit source]

Heart[edit | edit source]

The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system. It is divided into four chambers: the left and right atria and the left and right ventricles. The heart contracts and relaxes in a cycle known as the cardiac cycle, which propels blood throughout the body.

Blood Vessels[edit | edit source]

Blood vessels are the channels through which blood is distributed to body tissues. The three major types of blood vessels are arteries, veins, and capillaries. Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the tissues, except for pulmonary arteries, which carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs. Veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart, except for pulmonary veins, which carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart. Capillaries connect arteries and veins and facilitate the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between blood and tissues.

Blood[edit | edit source]

Blood is a body fluid that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells. It is composed of blood cells suspended in blood plasma.

Types of Blood Circulation[edit | edit source]

There are two main types of blood circulation: systemic circulation and pulmonary circulation. Systemic circulation is 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 is 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.

See Also[edit | edit source]


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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD