A Jedi's Strength Flows from the Force.

GE 345: Week 2

Circulatory System

Updated by Tracey 20 June 02

CV System: carries vital substances to cells, waste products away. Heart contracts, increasing pressure in response to electrical stimulus, resulting in blood flow through the system. Blood Flow follows two circuits:

Pulmonary Circulation: carries waste to lungs for exhalation & oxygen from lungs for distribution.
vena cavae -> rt atrium (rt a.v./tricuspid) -> rt ventricle (pulmonic) -> pulmonary artery -> pulmonary arterioles -> pulmonary capillaries -> pulmonary veins -> lt atrium
Systemic Circulation: carries oxygen and nutrients to & waste products from system.
lt atrium (bicuspid/mitral) -> lt ventricle (aortic valve) -> aorta -> arterioles -> capillaries -> veins -> vena cavae

Coronary Blood Supply: The heart's blood supply is part of the systemic circulation. Coronary arteries branch off aorta. Each artery -> both ventricles, but only the atrium on its side.

Heart attack (myocardial infarction, or MI) occurs as a result of coronary blockage.

blockage -> ischemia -> hypoxia -> necrosis -> MI