HUMAN

BODY
SYSTEMS

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
Levels of structural organization

 Atoms
 Molecules
 Organelles
 Cell
 Tissues *
 Organs
 Organ systems
 Organism
 Circulatory System
• Cardiac muscle tissue works continuously without tiring .

 The heart has four chambers: two atria, two ventricles.

• Valves in each chamber prevent backflow of blood.

NORMAL HUMAN HEART

• Muscles squeeze the chambers in a powerful pumping

action.
 Blood flows through the heart in a specific pathway.
1. Deoxygenated blood enters right atrium, then right
ventricle
2. right ventricle pumps blood to lungs
3. oxygenated blood from lungs enters left atrium, then left
ventricle
4. left ventricle pumps blood to body

1 3
2
4
Pulmonary Circulation
 Pulmonary circulation occurs between the heart and the lungs.
 oxygen-poor blood enters lungs
 excess carbon dioxide and water
expelled
 blood picks up oxygen
 oxygen-rich blood returns to heart
 Systemic Circulation
• Systemic circulation occurs between the heart and the
rest of the body.
– oxygen-rich blood goes to organs,
extremities
– oxygen-poor blood returns to
heart
• The two pathways help maintain a
stable body temperature.
Blood Components
Arteries, veins, and capillaries transport blood to all parts of
the body.
 Arteries carry blood away from the • Veins carry blood back to
heart. the heart.
 blood under great pressure – blood under less pressure

– thinner walls, larger diameter
thicker, more muscular walls
– valves prevent backflow
 Fast flow – Slow flow

endothelium
smooth muscle
connective tissue valve
CAPILLARIES
ARTERY VEIN

arteriole venule

• Capillaries move blood

between veins, arteries,
and cells.
 Blood pressure is a measure of the force of blood pushing against artery walls.
√
– systolic pressure:
left ventricle
contracts
– diastolic pressure:
left ventricle
relaxes

• High blood pressure can precede a heart attack or stroke.

• Circulatory diseases affect mainly the

heart and the arteries, as they become
thick and blocked.