Your circulatory system is a vast network responsible for transporting blood, fighting infections and providing the body with the nutrients it needs. Learn how this complex system works, what happens when it goes wrong and how problems are detected.
The principle organ in this complex network is the heart, but other parts of the human circulatory system include arteries, capillaries, blood, veins and venules.
- How Does the Circulatory System Work?
- Circulatory System Anatomy
- What Is the Purpose of the Circulatory System?
Importance of those Beats per Minute
The human heart is a powerful muscular pump that contracts to send blood shooting out to the rest of the body through a network of arteries and blood vessels. It is composed of four chambers: two ventricles and two atria. Oxygen poor blood that has already circulated through the body returns to the heart via a major vein known as the vena cava. It collects in the right atria and right ventricle and is then pumped to the lungs through the pulmonary arteries. Here the blood is replenished with a fresh supply of oxygen before entering the left side of the heart to be pumped out to the body through the aorta.
- A Guide to the Circulatory System Organs and Blood Vessels
- Circulatory System Fun Facts for Kids
- Comparing Veins, Arteries and Capillaries for Students
- Keep the Beat: Learning About Human Heart Extension Activities in Elementary Science
- A Look at Veins and Arteries of the Human Body
The Anatomy and Functions of the Blood
This specialized body fluid is constantly flowing through the body and is made up of a number of components including red and white blood cells, eosinophils, plasma, platelets and clotting factors. Every cell in the body receives nourishment from oxygen rich blood, small wonder then that it is sometimes called the ‘River of Life’. Its other principle function is to transport waste away from cells and tissues. In the average healthy adult there are approximately five liters of blood - that is about one eleventh of a person’s body weight.
Plasma is the yellowish fluid that is the major constituent of blood (about 55%) and in it are suspended the millions of cells that make up the rest of its volume. These include red blood cells, or erythrocytes, white blood cells, or leukocytes, and platelets or thrombocytes. The platelets help blood to clot at the site of injury and without them a person would bleed to death. Other substances that are suspended within the blood plasma are salts, glucose and other nutrients.
- Exploring the Red Blood Cell: Structure and Function Study Guide
- The Meaning of White Blood Cell Counts
- Guide to White Blood Cells
- White Blood Cells: Your Body’s Free Virus Removal System
Complications with the Circulatory System
If any structure within the circulatory system fails to function correctly serious and potentially life-threatening complications can occur. Diseases, defects and underlying health complications can cause problems with the valves, blood, vessels and the heart itself.
- Guide to the Genetics of Antiphospholipid Syndrome
- How is Marfan Syndrome Inherited?
- Hunting for the Pathogen that Triggers Kawasaki Disease Symptoms
- Learning About the Axillary Artery and Complications that May Occur
- The Genetics of Ayerza Syndrome
- What is Fabry Disease
- Signs and Symptoms of Hypotension
Diagnosing Circulatory Complications
There are many simple and noninvasive diagnostic procedures that are used to identify complications with parts of the circulatory system. For example, an echocardiogram and ultrasound can detect problems with the valves of the heart, while an ankle-brachial index and a duplex arterial scan detect vein and artery complications.
- Understanding Echocardiography
- Future of Ultrasound Technology Helps Repair Blood Vessels
- Duplex Arterial Scan Overview
- Ankle-Brachial Index Information
- What is an Electrocardiogram Test?
- Causes of T-Wave Abnormality on an EKG
- Holter Monitor Testing
- The Echocardiogram Procedure
Diagnostic Blood Tests
Blood tests are simple and relatively painless, and say a lot about a person’s health. There are numerous types of blood tests which are used to help detect specific diseases, evaluate how well organs are functioning and check that medicines being taken are working.
Blood tests can detect whether or not red and white blood cells levels fall within normal range, as well as platelet levels. Variations in blood count levels are often an indication of a disease or condition that requires treatment. Blood tests reveal if high or low cholesterol is present, as well as cancers and other illnesses.
- A Guide to Lipid Blood Tests
- MPV Blood Test: All About Mean Platelet Volume
- The Meaning of Low Platelet Count Blood Test Results
- The ABCs of Blood Tests: Learn About Common Lab Tests Used to Detect Hematocrit Numbers, Cancer, Anemia and More
- Patient Information on a Low White Blood Cell Count
- Red Blood Cell Count Testing
- CPK Blood Test: Diagnosing Muscle Damage
- An Overview of the C-reactive Protein Blood Test
- A Guide to the Aldolase Blood Test
References:
“Anatomy of the Human Circulatory System” https://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/C/Circulation.html
“Cardiovascular System” https://www.ambulancetechnicianstudy.co.uk/circsystem.html
