3.

4 – The Circulatory System

 The organ system that is made up of the heart, blood, and blood vessels.
 The system that transports oxygen and nutrients throughout the body and carries away
waste.
 Regulates body temperature and transports disease-fighting white blood cells to areas of
the body where there are viruses or bacteria.

BLOOD
 Type of connective tissue that circulates throughout the body.
 Four components of blood include:

Red Blood  Make up approximately ½ of blood

Cells volume.
Erythrocytes  Protein called hemoglobin transports
oxygen from the lungs to all body tissue.
 Hemoglobin makes cells appear red.
 Produced continuously in our bone
marrow.
White Blood  Infection-fighting cells
Cells  Recognize and destroy invading bacteria
Leukocytes and viruses.
 Only blood cell with a nucleus.
 Less than 1% blood volume.
Platelets  Tiny cells that help with blood clotting to
Thrombocytes heal wounds.
 Less than 1% blood volume.
Plasma  Protein rich liquid that carries blood cells.
 ½ of blood volume.

BLOOD VESSELS
 There are three types of blood vessels that form a network of tubes throughout the body to
transport blood:
Arteries  Carry blood away from the heart.
 Thick walls to withstand greater
pressure.
 Branch into smaller arterioles.
Veins  Carry blood toward the heart.
 Lower pressure, not as thick.
 Valves prevent backflow.
 Branch into smaller venules.
Capillaries  Link arteries and veins together.
 Thin walls allow substances to diffuse
from the blood to surrounding tissue.
HEART
• Circulation: The movement of the blood through the
heart and around the body.
 Pear-shaped structure about the size of a clenched fist.
 Weighs about 310 grams.
 The walls of the heart are made up of three layers,
while the cavity is divided into four chambers.
 There are two upper chambers, called the right and left
atria, and two lower chambers, called the right and left
ventricles.
 Deoxygenated blood is drawn from the body by the
right half of the heart, and then sent to the lungs to be
reoxygenated.
 Blood that has been reoxygenated by the lungs is
drawn into the left side of the heart and then pumped
into the blood stream.
 Pumps with a regular beat (heart rate) which changes
depending on physical activity and other factors (i.e.
stress, temperature, health).
Blood vessels also provide two important vital signs:

1. Pulse – The arterial palpitation of a heartbeat,

measured at 75-80 beats per minute (BPM).
2. Blood pressure – The pressure exerted by
circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels.
 Systolic pressure is peak pressure in the arteries.
 Diastolic pressure is minimum pressure in the arteries.
 Normal pressure can be stated as 120 over 80.

Diseases & Disorders of the Circulatory System

Arteriosclerosis
 Arteries can become blocked with plaque (deposit of fat, cholesterol,
calcium and other substances), which narrows passageway for blood.
 Plaque caused by inherited genetic information or poor lifestyle.
 Symptoms: tiredness, dizziness, pain or burning sensation in chest or
arms.
 Diagnosis: x-ray called an angiogram, which uses a fluorescent dye
injected into the bloodstream. The dye shows up on the x-ray image
revealing blockages.

Hypertension: High blood pressure.

 Together these diseases can lead to the formation of blood
clots, which can break free and flow to a coronary artery and
block a vessel, causing a heart attack.
 If blood clot reaches the brain, it may block a vessel, causing
a stroke.

HEART ATTACK
 Plaque or blood clot completely blocks coronary artery.
 Heart muscle no longer receives oxygen and nutrients to function.
 Heart stops pumping and tissue dies.
 Symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea,
anxiety, upper body pain, sweating, dizziness, unusual
fatigue.
 Diagnosis:

1. Blood test to identify certain proteins present

only when the cardiac muscle tissue dies.

2. Electrocardiogram (ECG) measures electrical

signals created by the heart.