Introduction to the Human Circulatory System

Overview

• The circulatory system is made up of the heart and blood vessels.

• There are three types of blood vessels: arteries, veins, and capillaries.

ARTERIES

• Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart are called arteries.

• They are the thickest blood vessels and they carry blood high in oxygen known as oxygenated blood (oxygen rich blood).

VEINS

• Blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart are called veins.

• They have one-way valves which prevent blood from flowing backwards.

• They carry blood that is high in carbon dioxide known as deoxygenated blood (oxygen poor blood).

CAPILLARIES

• The smallest blood vessels are capillaries and they connect the arteries and veins.

• This is where the exchange of nutrients and gases occurs.

A great partnership!

• Our circulatory system works with our respiratory system to supply our bodies with oxygen and nutrients. Together they are known as the cardiovascular system

How do they help each other?

• Our circulatory system carries waste products to the respiratory system which gets rid of wastes such as carbon dioxide.

• Our respiratory system brings in oxygen and our circulatory system delivers the oxygen to all the cells in the body.

The Blood

• Every time your heart beats, blood is sent through your body.

• Each day about six litres of blood is constantly circulated through your body.

• This blood travels through about 96,560 km of blood vessels!

Your Amazing Heart

• Your heart is a muscular pump that beats from 60 to 100 times per minute, but can beat much faster if it has to.

• That is about 100,000 beats per day, more than 30 million beats per year!

Cardiovascular Problems

• Problems with the cardiovascular system are common, but they don’t just affect older people.

• Many heart problems affect children and teenagers.