The cardiovascular system allows blood and lymphatic circulation throughout the body.
The cardiovascular system includes those structures that allow blood and lymphatic circulation . The concept can be used as a synonym for circulatory system .
A system is an organized structure of components that maintain interrelationships. These components can be physical or symbolic. Cardiovascular , for its part, is a term linked to the heart and the circulatory system.
Functioning of the cardiovascular system
Specifically, we can establish that the correct functioning of the cardiovascular system is influenced not only by the blood and the heart but also by the corresponding blood vessels and the lymphatic system. The latter is characterized by the fact that it functions as a transport system both for the regulation of extracellular fluids and for defenses and fatty acids.
In the case of blood vessels, they can be classified into elastic arteries, arterioles, muscular arteries, capillaries, veins and venules .
Through its functions, the cardiovascular system causes cells to receive nutrients and other substances. On the other hand, the components of the system are responsible for collecting metabolic waste that is later eliminated through the air expelled during breathing and urine.
The heart is the main protagonist of the cardiovascular system.
Fundamental layers
No less important is to determine that in the work process of the cardiovascular system three layers become basic elements and fundamental scenarios:
- Internal . This is what is known as the endocardium in the heart and the intima in the blood vessels. It basically acts as a metabolic unit.
- Media . In the heart it is called myocardium and is made up of muscle fibers of various types.
- External . Adventitia is the name it has in the aforementioned blood vessels while in the heart it is called epicardium.
Blood circulation in the cardiovascular system
It is possible to divide blood circulation into two major cycles: the major, general or systematic circulation and the minor, central or pulmonary circulation . The major circulation begins in the ventricle of the heart, which is located on the left side, passes through the aorta artery and the arterial branches and reaches the capillary system, where it empties into one of the vena cava to return oxygenated to the heart.
The lesser circulation, for its part, begins in the right ventricle, crosses the pulmonary artery, is oxygenated in the alveolar capillaries and returns to the heart through the pulmonary veins.
The complete circuit of the cardiovascular system, therefore, begins in the left ventricle and runs through the aorta artery; the arteries and systemic capitals; the venae cavae; the right atrium; the right ventricle; the pulmonary artery; the pulmonary arteries and capillaries; the pulmonary veins; the left atrium; and returns to the left ventricle.
Common illnesses
In addition to everything stated above, it must also be emphasized that there is a large number of diseases that affect the cardiovascular system. Among them, for example, acute myocardial infarction stands out, which is commonly known as a heart attack .
However, among the most frequent pathologies that affect this system are also angina , stroke , atherosclerosis , congestive heart failure and aneurysm . This consists of a dilation of one of the blood vessels that occurs as a result of a weakening of the vascular wall.