The Function
of the Cardiovascular System
What is 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?"
Cardiovascular
system diagram |
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
- 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.
- 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.
- Regulation of body temperature, fluid
pH and water content of cells is the third job of cardiovascular
system.
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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