Cardiovascular System

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This topic covers the structure and function of the heart and blood vessels, including the mechanics of circulation and the various types of blood cells.

Heart anatomy: The structure and function of the heart, including chambers, valves, and blood vessels.
Blood vessels: The different types of blood vessels, including arteries, veins, and capillaries, and their role in the transport of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.
Blood flow: The processes that regulate blood flow through the cardiovascular system, including the cardiac cycle, blood pressure, and vascular resistance.
Cardiac output: The amount of blood the heart pumps each minute, determined by stroke volume and heart rate.
Cardiac muscles: The muscles that make up the heart, including their structure and function.
Heart valves: The four valves in the heart, including their structure and function.
Blood pressure: The force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the blood vessels, affected by factors such as fluid volume and resistance.
Blood disorders: Abnormalities in the blood that can affect cardiovascular health, such as anemia, high blood pressure, and thrombosis.
Coronary circulation: The circulation of blood to the heart, including the coronary arteries and veins.
Conduction system: The electrical system that regulates the heartbeat, including the sinoatrial node, atrioventricular node, and Purkinje fibers.
Respiratory function: The relationship between cardiovascular function and the respiratory system, including gas exchange and oxygen delivery.
Cardiovascular disease: Conditions that affect the cardiovascular system, including heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.
Drugs and treatments: Medications and procedures used to treat cardiovascular conditions, including anticoagulants, beta-blockers, and stents.
Exercise and fitness: The role of exercise in promoting cardiovascular health, including its impact on heart rate, blood pressure, and circulation.
Heart: The heart is the organ responsible for pumping blood throughout the body.
Blood vessels: Blood vessels are tubes that carry blood to and from the heart. There are three types of blood vessels: arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Arteries: Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the rest of the body.
Veins: Veins are blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
Capillaries: Capillaries are small blood vessels that connect arteries and veins and allow for the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between the blood and the body's tissues.
Blood: Blood is a fluid that carries oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body. It is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
- "The blood circulatory system is a system of organs that includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood which is circulated throughout the entire body of a human or other vertebrate."
- "It includes the cardiovascular system, or vascular system, that consists of the heart and blood vessels."
- "The circulatory system has two divisions, a systemic circulation or circuit, and a pulmonary circulation or circuit."
- "The circulatory system is closed in vertebrates, which means that the blood never leaves the network of blood vessels."
- "Blood is a fluid consisting of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets."
- "It is circulated around the body carrying oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and collecting and disposing of waste materials."
- "In vertebrates, the lymphatic system is complementary to the circulatory system."
- "The lymphatic system carries excess plasma... back to blood circulation as lymph."
- "The lymphatic system also works with the immune system."
- "unlike the closed (blood) circulatory system, the lymphatic system is an open system."
- "The circulation of lymph takes much longer than that of blood."
- "Cardiologists are medical professionals which specialize in the heart."
- "Cardiothoracic surgeons specialize in operating on the heart and its surrounding areas."
- "Vascular surgeons focus on disorders of the blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels."
- "The network of blood vessels are the great vessels of the heart including large elastic arteries, and large veins."
- "capillaries that join with venules (small veins), and other veins."
- "Diploblasts such as sponges, and comb jellies lack a circulatory system."
- "Circulated nutrients include proteins and minerals."
- "help maintain homeostasis by stabilizing temperature and natural pH."
- "The lymphatic system is a subsystem that is essential for the functioning of the blood circulatory system; without it the blood would become depleted of fluid."