Anatomy Overview THE CIRCULATORY AND LYMPHATIC SYSTEMS

Circulatory System The circulatory system may be thought of as a complex transportation system, bringing nourishment and oxygen to the cells and carrying away waste products. The circulatory system may be thought of as a complex transportation system, bringing nourishment and oxygen to the cells and carrying away waste products. This closed system is kept in motion by the heart. This closed system is kept in motion by the heart.

Diseases that interfere with any part of the system affect it’s overall function. The heart, blood vessels and blood make up the circulatory system, sometimes called Cardio Vascular system.

The Heart The heart is a muscular, hollow organ and is divided into a right and left side by a muscular wall called the septum. It is further divided into four chambers; the upper chambers are atriums, the lower chambers are called ventricles.

The Heart There are three layers in the structure of the heart; the inside layer is the endocardium. There are three layers in the structure of the heart; the inside layer is the endocardium.

the middle layer, made up of cardiac muscle cells is the thickest layer and is called the myocardium. the middle layer, made up of cardiac muscle cells is the thickest layer and is called the myocardium. The pericardium is a membranous outer layer. The pericardium is a membranous outer layer.

The Heart The right atrium receives blood from body cells via a large vein. The blood entering the right atrium has a low oxygen content. The right atrium receives blood from body cells via a large vein. The blood entering the right atrium has a low oxygen content.

The Heart The blood then flows into the right ventricle which sends it to the lungs. The blood then flows into the right ventricle which sends it to the lungs. In the lungs, oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged. In the lungs, oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.

The Heart Blood is then sent to the left atrium which drains through the mitral valve into the left ventricle. Blood is then sent to the left atrium which drains through the mitral valve into the left ventricle. The left ventricle, the most muscular part of the heart, pumps blood to the aorta, to begin the delivery to body cells. The left ventricle, the most muscular part of the heart, pumps blood to the aorta, to begin the delivery to body cells. One way valves between the heart chambers keep the blood flowing in the right direction. One way valves between the heart chambers keep the blood flowing in the right direction.

The Heart An electrical impulse located in the myocardium controls the rheumatic contraction and relaxation of the heart. An electrical impulse located in the myocardium controls the rheumatic contraction and relaxation of the heart.

Blood Vessels There are three types of blood vessels serving as tubes to carry the blood. They are the arteries, veins, and capillaries. There are three types of blood vessels serving as tubes to carry the blood. They are the arteries, veins, and capillaries.

Blood Vessels Arteries carry blood away from the heart, that have muscular, elastic walls with smooth linings and carry blood with high concentrations of nutrients and oxygen. Arteries carry blood away from the heart, that have muscular, elastic walls with smooth linings and carry blood with high concentrations of nutrients and oxygen. Arteries branch to form arteriloes which then branch to form capillaries. Arteries branch to form arteriloes which then branch to form capillaries.

Blood Vessels Veins are tubes that carry blood toward the heart. They have thinner muscular walls and some veins have cup-like valves which prevent the backflow of the blood. Veins are tubes that carry blood toward the heart. They have thinner muscular walls and some veins have cup-like valves which prevent the backflow of the blood. Veins form from venules which connect to capillaries. Veins form from venules which connect to capillaries.

Blood Vessels Capillaries have very thin walls, only one cell thick, and are the site of the exchange of nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and waste products from the blood to the body cells. Capillaries have very thin walls, only one cell thick, and are the site of the exchange of nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and waste products from the blood to the body cells.

Blood The human body contains 4-6 quarts of blood composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. The human body contains 4-6 quarts of blood composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. The Red Cells called erythrocytes carry most of the oxygen in a protein called Hemoglobin. The Red Cells called erythrocytes carry most of the oxygen in a protein called Hemoglobin.

Blood consists of: There are four to five million red blood cells per millimeter of blood giving the blood it’s red color. There are four to five million red blood cells per millimeter of blood giving the blood it’s red color.

Blood consists of: White blood cells called leukocytes number about 5-9 thousand per millimeter. There are different types of leukocytes whose main function is to fight infection in the body.

Blood consists of: Platelets, also called thrombocytes are only parts of cells and vary in shape and size. Platelets, also called thrombocytes are only parts of cells and vary in shape and size. Platelets seal small leaks in blood vessels and begin the blood clotting process. Platelets seal small leaks in blood vessels and begin the blood clotting process.

Plasma Plasma is about 90% water. In this solution many substances are suspended. Plasma contains antibodies, nutrients, gases, and proteins for clotting and waste products.

Anatomy Overview The Lymphatic System

This system works with the circulatory system to remove waste products and excess fluid from tissues. This system works with the circulatory system to remove waste products and excess fluid from tissues.

The lymphatic system consists of lymph, lymph vessels, lymph nodes and lymphatic tissue. Lymph is a thin watery liquid that surrounds body cells and tissues.

Small open ended vessels which serve as drain pipes pick up the lymph throughout the body and are called lymph vessels.

Lymph The lymph vessels drain the liquid into lymph nodes which are masses located at various parts of the body. The lymph vessels drain the liquid into lymph nodes which are masses located at various parts of the body. The lymph nodes filter the lymph and remove impurities. The lymph nodes filter the lymph and remove impurities.

Lymph Some types of white blood cells and antibodies are formed in the lymph nodes. This purifies lymph with new white cells and antibodies leave the lymph nodes and enter the blood stream.

Pathology Diseases of the circulatory system

Diseases Congenital disorders Congenital disorders Endocarditis, pericarditis, rheumatic fever may affect damage heart valves. Endocarditis, pericarditis, rheumatic fever may affect damage heart valves.

Diseases and conditions Myocardial Infarction, Heart Attack, is caused by a blockage in the arteries which supply the heart with blood, causing damage to the heart muscle.

Anemia is an abnormally low count of red blood cells. People who are anemic often are pale, and tired all the time, due to the decrease of oxygen. Anemia is an abnormally low count of red blood cells. People who are anemic often are pale, and tired all the time, due to the decrease of oxygen.

Aneurysms are a weakened area of an artery which may rupture and cause severe bleeding. (hemorrhage) Aneurysms are a weakened area of an artery which may rupture and cause severe bleeding. (hemorrhage) Sudden bursting of an aneurysm usually results in sudden death. Sudden bursting of an aneurysm usually results in sudden death.

Conditions: Hypertension is high blood pressure often due to thickening or fatty deposits in the walls of the arteries. Hypertension is high blood pressure often due to thickening or fatty deposits in the walls of the arteries. Thrombosis is the formation of clot. If a clot breaks loose, it’s called an embolism. Thrombosis is the formation of clot. If a clot breaks loose, it’s called an embolism. Phlebitis is the inflammation of a vein. Phlebitis is the inflammation of a vein.

Conditions: Hemophilia is an inherited disease causing failure of the blood to clot. Hemophilia is an inherited disease causing failure of the blood to clot. CVA is a Cerebral Vascular Attack, commonly known as a stroke, caused by an interruption of the blood circulation in the brain. CVA is a Cerebral Vascular Attack, commonly known as a stroke, caused by an interruption of the blood circulation in the brain.