Heart: Blood Circulation
By Lhenn on Oct 18, 2009 with Comments 2
The main function of the heart is to circulate blood which transports food, oxygen, and waste products (carbon dioxide). The heart’s two pumps wok together in perfect rhythm to circulate blood through the lungs and to other parts of the body.
Food nutrients are distributed to the cells through pulmonary or systemic circulation.
Systemic Circulation
Blood is forced out from the heart by contraction of the left ventricle. The blood enters the aorta which is the largest artery in the body. The aorta distributes the blood to smaller arteries and then to capillaries. These tiny blood vessels surround every cell of the body. As the cells throughout the body remove oxygen from the blood, they release carbon dioxide. The capillaries and the veins carry the oxygen-deficient blood back to the heart. The inferior vena cava, the biggest vein, is the final connection point for blood from the veins. Blood flows from the vena cava into the right atrium.
The circulation of the blood from the heart to the body and back again or from the body to the heart is called systemic circulation.
Pulmonary Circulation
The oxygen-deficient blood entering the right atrium is pumped into the right ventricle. The right ventricle then forces this blood into the pulmonary artery connected to the lungs. As it enters the lungs, the blood carries the carbon dioxide, a waste material, into the lungs. The blood gives off this waste product and takes in oxygen. When blood leaves the lungs, it regains more oxygen. Blood enters the left atrium and the cycle is repeated.
The circulation of the blood from the heart to the lungs is called pulmonary circulation.
The function of the pulmonary circulation is to oxygenate the blood. This is done through the lungs.
The entire cycle of blood circulation, including both pulmonary and systemic circulations, takes place less than a minute.
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Filed Under: Circulatory System
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