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Inside the Heart from Medicine Plus Encyclopedia: nlm.nih.govThe heart is the engine of the circulatory system. It is a fist-sized organ containing four chambers separated by a piece of tissue called the septum. The lower chambers are called ventricles and the upper chambers are called atria (plural of atrium).
The purpose of the heart, as part of the circulatory system, is to pump blood through every blood vessel in the body, which it does at a rate of 100,000 times a day. Deoxygenated blood flows through the right atrium, down into the right ventricle, to the pulmonary vein and then to the lungs. Oxygenated blood flows from the pulmonary vein, through the left atrium, into the left ventricle, to the aorta and out to every part of the body. -
Arterial System by Mariana Ruiz Villarreal: Wikipedia.comThe purpose of the arteries in relation to the circulatory system is to transport the oxygen-rich blood to all the major organs in order to deliver oxygen, which is vital to keep every tissue alive. The pulmonary artery is the only artery that transports de-oxygenated blood to the heart. All others transport oxygenated blood away from the heart. The aorta, the largest artery in the body, transports blood out of the heart and runs from just above the heart to just above the genitals. Arteries gradually decrease in size in order to connect to capillaries. -
Venous System by Mariana Ruiz Villarreal: Wikipedia.comThe purpose of the veins in relation to the circulatory system is to transport blood to the heart after the cells in the body exchange their waste products for the blood's oxygen. The pulmonary vein is the only vein that transports oxygenated blood to the heart from the lungs. The vena cava, the largest vein the body, consolidates all deoxygenated blood collected throughout the body and deliver it to the pulmonary artery. -
Illustration Capillary with Venules: Wikipedia.orgThe purpose of capillaries in relation to the circulatory system is to transport blood to small regions within the body, such as the eyeball and earlobe. They infiltrate tissues, allowing the easy exchange of oxygen, nutrients and water for carbon dioxide and waste. Capillaries connect directly to arteries to exchange the oxygen, water and nutrients, then connect to venules, which are tiny veins that connect to larger veins, transporting carbon dioxide and waste back toward the heart. -
Sedimented Red Blood Cells by MDougM: Wikipedia.comThe purpose of the blood, in relation to the circulatory system, is to transport oxygen from the respiratory system, nutrients from the digestive system, waste from all other body tissues to the excretory system and waste gasses to the respiratory system in an endless circuit. The blood carries clotting cells that repair damage called platelets and disease-fighting white-blood cells called leukocytes. The red blood cells carry oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the blood vessels, suspended in a liquid called plasma.
