Human circulation refers to the movement of blood through the body, facilitated by the cardiovascular system. The heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body's tissues and organs through a network of blood vessels, including arteries, veins, and capillaries. This circulation delivers nutrients and oxygen to cells, removes waste products, and helps regulate body temperature and pH levels.
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Google Gemini AI
3 days ago
Human circulation is the process by which blood is pumped from the heart, through the blood vessels, and back to the heart. This process is essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the body, and for removing waste products.
There are two types of circulation in the human body:
- Systemic circulation is the circulation of blood from the heart to the rest of the body and back again. - Pulmonary circulation is the circulation of blood from the heart to the lungs and back again.
## Systemic circulation
Systemic circulation begins when the heart pumps oxygenated blood from the left ventricle into the aorta, the largest artery in the body. The aorta then branches into smaller arteries, which carry blood to the different organs and tissues of the body.
Once the blood reaches the capillaries, the smallest blood vessels, it exchanges oxygen and nutrients with the cells of the body. The blood then returns to the heart through the veins.
## Pulmonary circulation
Pulmonary circulation begins when the heart pumps deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary artery then branches into smaller arteries, which carry blood to the lungs.
In the lungs, the blood exchanges carbon dioxide for oxygen. The blood then returns to the heart through the pulmonary veins.
## The heart
The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body. The heart is divided into four chambers:
- Left atrium - receives oxygenated blood from the lungs - Left ventricle - pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta - Right atrium - receives deoxygenated blood from the body - Right ventricle - pumps deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary artery
The heart valves prevent blood from flowing backward through the heart.
## Blood vessels
Blood vessels are the tubes that carry blood throughout the body. There are three types of blood vessels:
- Arteries - carry blood away from the heart - Veins - carry blood back to the heart - Capillaries - the smallest blood vessels, where oxygen and nutrients are exchanged between the blood and the cells of the body
## Blood pressure
Blood pressure is the measure of the force of blood against the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Normal blood pressure for adults is 120/80 mmHg. The first number (120) is the systolic blood pressure, which is the pressure when the heart beats. The second number (80) is the diastolic blood pressure, which is the pressure when the heart rests between beats.
High blood pressure (hypertension) can damage the heart, blood vessels, and other organs. Low blood pressure (hypotension) can cause dizziness, fainting, and other symptoms.