Cardiovascular system
Learning objectives
After completing this study unit you will be able to:
- Identify the main subdivisions of the cardiovascular system.
- Understand the anatomical difference between arteries and veins.
- Learn the main functions of the parts of the cardiovascular system.
Watch videos
The cardiovascular system is composed of the heart, blood vessels, and blood that runs through them. The principal function of the heart is to pump the blood through the system of blood vessels (vascular system). The vascular system is divided into veins and arteries, with the former carrying the blood towards the heart and the latter carrying the blood from the heart to the tissues. The blood transports gases, nutrients, electrolytes, wastes, and hormones maintaining homeostasis in the body. The vascular system is also divided into two circuits:
- Pulmonary circuit: Carries the blood between the heart and lungs
- Systemic circuit: Carries the blood between the heart and the periphery
This video tutorial will provide you with an overview of the anatomy and function of the cardiovascular system.
The heart is the principal organ of the cardiovascular system. Learn the basics of heart anatomy with the following video.
The arteries carry blood from the heart to the different body parts. This video will help you learn the main arteries of the human body.
And the following video will introduce you to the veins of the human body.
To improve your understanding of cardiovascular system terminology, take a closer look at some commonly used roots, prefixes and suffixes related to the cardiovascular system in the video below.
Take a quiz
Now that you have watched the videos about the cardiovascular system, solidify your knowledge by taking one of our quizzes.
To adjust your focus and choose the topics you’ll get quizzed on, try out our customizable quiz.
Browse atlas
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Revise everything that you have learned by analyzing each structure of the cardiovascular system through our atlas gallery.
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/capillary-network-of-tissues/xIwoHiCyagyvijRyXBcQ_capillary-network-of-tissues.jpg "Capillary network of tissues (Rete capillare systematis); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/cardiovascular-system/7hXCXtPxU8wlzqlogmkg_cardiovascular-system.jpg "Cardiovascular system (Systema cardiovasculare); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/inferior-vena-cava-40/2GWHBRioAySU9JV2X8bF1g_inferior-vena-cava-40.jpg "Inferior vena cava (Vena cava inferior); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/pulmonary-circulation/9c4SC5sXiBsK4wlAUB3gQ__pulmonary-circulation.jpg "Pulmonary circulation (Circulatio pulmonis); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/superior-vena-cava-15/02KAtYk3Tb2vxwZtjkPaA_superior-vena-cava-15.jpg "Superior vena cava (Vena cava superior); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/systemic-circulation/8P60I3yY3TxikvVPLrgRw_systemic-circulation.jpg "Systemic circulation (Circulatio systematis); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/brachial-artery-2/cEy4fxYjZUuB8riBsgcRnA_brachial-artery-2.png "Brachial artery (Arteria brachialis); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/deep-brachial-artery-2/KFnHyDCcPc3KtUsdLLS8UA_arteria-profunda-brachii-2.png "Deep brachial artery (Arteria profunda brachii); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/common-iliac-artery/BuELmUXJbt6IXyDDweCnw_common-iliac-artery.png "Common iliac artery (Arteria iliaca communis); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
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:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/external-jugular-vein-2/Dz7JtwSJMj136b4vHlsBKA_V._jugularis_externa_02.png "External jugular vein (Vena jugularis externa); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/internal-jugular-vein-5/LQJDo81jz4fgPaG2BjS5ow_V._jugularis_interna_02.png "Internal jugular vein (Vena jugularis interna); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/subclavian-vein-4/U4NtIFcJ9cTTkYT4fHb4UA_V._subclavia_02.png "Subclavian vein (Vena subclavia); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/internal-thoracic-vein-2/gtb8wGYjo2fmsJ649pjWMw_V._thoracica_interna_02.png "Internal thoracic vein (Vena thoracica interna); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/axillary-vein-2/ERvO3vpJ54yztFfsrzJ5Ng_V._axillaris_02.png "Axillary vein (Vena axillaris); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/cephalic-vein-2/eLJ5jKP7qJXngpaABmDZpQ_V._cephalica_02.png "Cephalic vein (Vena cephalica); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/basilic-vein-2/NlZqiXZFiRdmRyXEKUQO0g_V._basilica_02.png "Basilic vein (Vena basilica); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/brachial-vein-2/6lIwQUBp9iD5vTKoG6cHTA_V._brachialis_02.png "Brachial veins (Venae brachiales); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/median-cubital-vein-2/jfe0Bbbw3rvkjDlbIbUkfA_V._mediana_cubiti_02.png "Median cubital vein (Vena mediana cubiti); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ulnar-vein/QcJNFUDTRNfLDDYNa5j1Cg_V._ulnaris_02.png "Ulnar veins (Venae ulnares); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/radial-vein/9eu9ylh8GwXDkQShaxKRg_V._radialis_02.png "Radial veins (Venae radiales); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/inferior-vena-cava-7/NomU64bkkS83EIiBUBanw_V._cava_inferior_02.png "Inferior vena cava (Vena cava inferior); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/hepatic-vein/1BkpvO7pdah96ZcLmTAraw_V._heptaicae_02.png "Hepatic veins (Venae hepaticae); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/hepatic-portal-vein-2/wUW2ljWoDKTbZHjAaHa5iQ_V._portae_hepatis_02.png "Hepatic portal vein (Vena portae hepatis); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/splenic-vein-3/7gMenuZp4lueKBi8UFzJw_V._splenica_02.png "Splenic vein (Vena splenica); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/inferior-mesenteric-vein/L6koJRx9wadHR5xMIHkw_V._mesenterica_inferior_02.png "Inferior mesenteric vein (Vena mesenterica inferior); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/superior-mesenteric-vein-3/tNEWbJkfklOk548EeZGLA_V._mesenterica_superior_02.png "Superior mesenteric vein (Vena mesenterica superior); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ovarian-vein/w3Wzpa6FIYz0GlYtuyXQ_V._ovarica__02.png "Ovarian vein (Vena ovarica); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/common-iliac-vein/wMtQNL2KAFo3XT1KeQjDg_V._iliaca_communis_02.png "Common iliac vein (Vena iliaca communis); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/external-iliac-vein-2/mSDV3yL9OMWyGSG9Tkj9A_V._iliaca_externa_02.png "External iliac vein (Vena iliaca externa); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/internal-iliac-vein/AyEbtGxtlshzdqkut8mw_V._iliaca_interna_02.png "Internal iliac vein (Vena iliaca interna); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/femoral-vein-3/yfZzCYDePU7bHF54NsjiDQ_V._femoralis_02.png "Femoral vein (Vena femoralis); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/great-saphenous-vein-2/ieUNaolOTAnGGJQ9Coc4A_V._saphena_magna_02.png "Great saphenous vein (Vena saphena magna); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/popliteal-vein-2/zNjX4lUZGAHPbBjRqLQA_Popliteal_vein.jpg "Popliteal vein (Vena poplitea); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/small-saphenous-vein-2/YQR02d3VXSATDl37XeCng_V._saphena_parva_02.png "Small saphenous vein (Vena saphena parva); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/anterior-tibial-vein/K13ugctjoUUo60PHX1CzA_V._tibialis_anterior_02.png "Anterior tibial vein (Vena tibialis anterior); Image: Begoña Rodriguez"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/vena-tibialis-posterior/zFNMrPdNVmc0PVfR7T6Q_Posterior_tibial_vein.jpg "Posterior tibial veins (Venae tibiales posteriores); Image: Liene Znotina"){kind=logo}
Summary
|
Vascular system |
Artery: A vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the capillary beds of organs and tissues Vein: A vessel that carries blood from the capillaries towards the heart |
|
Pulmonary circulation |
A system of arteries and veins that carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs and vice versa; the flow of oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart |
|
Systemic circulation |
A system of arteries and veins that conveys oxygenated blood from the heart to peripheral tissues, and vice versa; deoxygenated blood from the periphery to the heart |
| Coronary circulation |
A subsection of the systemic system that provides arterial supply and venous drainage of the heart |
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