Human
Circulatory System
The human body is a
complex machine, requiring many processes to function efficiently. To keep
these crucial processes running without any hitches, vital elements and
components need to be delivered to the various parts of the body.
This role of
transportation is undertaken by the human circulatory system, moving essential
nutrients and minerals throughout the body and metabolic waste products away
from the body. Below is the neat labelled Circulatory system diagram.
Human Circulatory System
The human circulatory
system consists of a network of arteries, veins, and capillaries, with the
heart pumping blood through it. Its primary role is to provide essential
nutrients, minerals, and hormones to various parts of the body. Alternatively,
the circulatory system is also responsible for collecting metabolic waste
and toxins from the cells and tissues to be purified or expelled from the body.
Features of Circulatory System
The crucial
features of human circulatory are as follows:
- The
human circulatory system consists of blood, heart, blood vessels, and
lymph.
- The
human circulatory system circulates blood through two loops (double
circulation) – One for oxygenated blood, another for de oxygenated blood.
- The
human heart consists of four chambers – two ventricles and two auricles.
- The
human circulatory system possesses a body-wide network of blood vessels.
These comprise of arteries, veins, and capillaries.
- The
primary function of blood vessels is to transport oxygenated blood and
nutrients to all parts of the body. It is also tasked with collecting
metabolic wastes to be expelled from the body.
- A
fact that most circulatory system diagrams do not visually represent is
its sheer length. Theoretically, if the veins, arteries, and capillaries
of a human were laid out, end to end, it would span a total distance of
1,00,000 kilo meters (or roughly eight times the diameter of the Earth).
Organs of Circulatory System
The human
circulatory system comprises of 4 main organs that have specific roles and
functions. The vital circulatory system organs include:
- Heart
- Blood
(technically, blood is considered a tissue and not an organ)
- Blood
Vessels
- Lymphatic
system
.
Lymphatic System
The human
circulatory system consists of another body fluid called lymph. It is also
known as tissue fluid. It is produced by the lymphatic system which comprises a
network of interconnected organs, nodes and ducts.
Lymph is a
colorless fluid consisting of salts, proteins, water, etc. which transport and
circulates digested food and absorbed fat to inter cellular spaces in the
tissues. Unlike the circulatory system, lymph is not pumped; instead, it
passively flows through a network of vessels.
Functions of Circulatory System
The most important
function of the circulatory system is transporting oxygen throughout the body.
The other vital functions of the human circulatory system are as follows:
- It
helps in sustaining all the organ systems.
- It
transports blood, nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide and hormones
throughout the body.
- It
protects cells from pathogens.
- It
acts as an interface for cell-to-cell interaction.
- The
substances present in the blood helps repair the damaged tissue.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does the human circulatory system work?
The human
circulatory system is a network of arteries, veins, capillaries design
collects metabolic waste to be filtered or expelled from the body.
2. What are the three types of circulation?
- Pulmonary
Circulation
- Systemic
Circulation
- Coronary
Circulation
3. Is the human circulatory system open or closed?
The human
circulatory system is a closed system that pumps blood through a network of
arteries and veins. This type of circulation is seen in all vertebrates
and some invertebrates.
4. What is the advantage of a closed circulatory system?
In a closed
circulatory system, more pressure is available in the system, and the blood can
reach the body extremities much quicker. This translates to a much faster
metabolism rate and quicker movements in organisms with closed circulatory
systems.
5. What is double circulation?
Double
circulation is a system of circulation where the blood flows through the heart
twice. This type of circulation is very effective as the body has a
constant supply of oxygenated blood.
6. What are the dangers of high blood pressure?
High blood
pressure can cause the inner walls of the arteries to get damaged. It can also
cause arteries to become less elastic. Worst-case scenario, it can cause an
aneurysm (a bulge in the artery that can potentially rupture).
7. What is a stroke?
A stroke is
caused when brain cells do not get enough oxygen and blood supply. This causes
the cells to die, resulting in symptoms such as numbness in the face, arms or a
part of the body.
8. What is hypertension?
Hypertension is
another term for high blood pressure. It occurs when the blood travels through
the blood vessels with more force than normal. This can result in damage to the
body. An average healthy human has a blood pressure of 120/80 Hg. Values higher
than this is considered as hypertension.
9. What is hypo-tension ?
Also known as
low blood pressure, hypo-tension is a condition where the blood flows through
the blood vessels with unusually low pressure. On average, healthy blood
pressure is considered to be between 120/80 Hg. Anything lower than this is
considered as hypo-tension.
10. What was the earliest circulatory system like?
The circulatory
system evolved as an efficient method to pump important nutrients and collect
waste materials throughout the body. The earliest circulatory system resembled
today’s open circulatory system where blood flowed in a hollow enclosed space.
Closed circulation evolved much later in ancestors of vertebrates.
