The Function
of the
Cardiovascular System
The function of the cardiovascular system, sometimes erroneously called the circulatory system, is vital to the life of the human body.
This system has 3 primary functions, or jobs, that it does in harmony with other systems of the body, which we'll get to in a minute.
But first, let's answer the question, "what is the cardiovascular system?"
What is the cardiovascular system?
"Cardio-" means "of the heart.
It is from the Greek word kardia, which means heart.
The definition of "vascular" is "of or having vessels, or ducts."
In relation to human anatomy, it refers to the system of vessels conveying blood or lymph.
Lymph is the bodily fluid that mainly contains white blood cells, and comprises the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system is part of the immune system.
So "cardiovascular" means of the heart and blood vessels.
The cardiovascular system refers to the heart and the system of vessels in the body that circulate the blood and lymph.
The function of the cardiovascular system has 3 main parts...
1. The cardiovascular system functions to transport nutrients, oxygen, and hormones to cells throughout the body. It also removes wastes which result from metabolism and helps remove toxins from the body.
2. The cardiovascular system protects the body with white blood cells and other components of the immune system. These circulate in the blood and defend the body against foreign microbes and toxins.
3. Regulation of body temperature, fluid pH and water content of cells is the third job of cardiovascular system.
The difference in blood vessels...
In the cardiovascular system diagram above, there are red blood vessels and blue blood vessels.
What's the difference?
As we discussed above, one of the cardiovascular system functions is delivering nutrients and oxygen TO the cells of the body and also removing wastes FROM the body.
The red blood vessels illustrate the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients TO the cells.
They are called "arteries."
The blue blood vessels illustrate the vessels that transport blood to the heart after the cells in the body exchange their waste products for the blood's oxygen and nutrients.
Those blood vessels are known as "veins."
Cardiovascular activities...
The function of the cardiovascular system is supported by good nutrition and cardiovascular activities such as walking, bike riding, swimming, climbing stairs, aerobic exercise, dancing to name a few.
Having a piece of fruit and taking a walk are definitely "heart healthy" cardiovascular activities that will benefit the cardiovascular system and your overall health.
Cheers,
BB
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- B.B.
Martin