The human circulatory system has a very important role for the body. Not only does it circulate nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, this system also plays a role in metabolic processes. Therefore, it is important to always maintain the health and smoothness of the circulatory system.
The circulatory system or cardiovascular system consists of various organs that have their respective functions. This organ system has the main task of circulating oxygen and nutrients throughout the cells and tissues of the body.
In addition, the human circulatory system also has various other functions, including:
- Removes the rest of the metabolic process in the form of carbon dioxide through the lungs
- Distributes hormones throughout the body
- Keeps body temperature stable
- Maintain the performance and function of various organ systems in the body
- Support the wound or injury recovery process
Recognize the Various Organs in the Human Circulatory System
The human circulatory system is composed of blood vessels and several organs, namely:
1. Heart
The heart is one of the vital organs in the human body that functions to pump blood throughout the body. The heart is located in the center of the chest cavity, precisely behind the left side of the breastbone. The size of an adult heart is approximately slightly larger than a fist.
Inside the heart, there are four chambers which are divided into two chambers (ventricles) and two atria (atria). The left atrium and ventricle contain clean oxygen-rich blood, while the right ventricle and atrium contain dirty blood.
The four chambers in the heart are also equipped with four valves that function to keep blood flowing in the right direction.
2. Blood vessels
Blood vessels are part of the circulatory system that functions to circulate blood from the heart to various organs and body tissues and vice versa. There are two types of blood vessels in the body, namely:
Arteries
These blood vessels are in charge of carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to all tissues and organs of the body, except for the pulmonary arteries.
Clean blood is pumped out of the heart through the main blood vessel (aorta) from the left ventricle of the heart. The aorta then branches into smaller arteries (arterioles) that spread throughout the body.
Veins
Veins function to carry blood from all tissues and organs of the body back to the heart, either from the whole body or from the lungs.
large veins (vena cava) carries dirty blood containing carbon dioxide from all over the body to be flowed to the lungs and exchanged for oxygen through the respiratory process. Meanwhile, the pulmonary veins (pulmonary veins) carry clean, oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the heart.
3. Blood
Blood is the most important component of the human circulatory system. Blood acts as a carrier of nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and antibodies throughout the body. Not only that, the blood also transports toxic substances and metabolic wastes, such as carbon dioxide, to be removed from the body.
Human blood consists of several parts, which include:
- Blood plasma is a yellowish liquid that contains various important substances, such as hormones and proteins.
- Red blood cells (erythrocytes) function as carriers of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
- White blood cells (leukocytes) are a major component of the immune system. These blood cells are responsible for detecting the presence of harmful foreign objects, such as toxic substances and germs, and then fighting them so that the body is protected from various diseases.
- Blood platelets (platelets) are needed by the body to support the blood clotting process when an injury or injury occurs.
Mechanism of the Human Circulatory System
The human circulatory system is divided into three types, namely:
Systemic circulation
Systemic circulation is blood circulation that covers the whole body. This circulation takes place when clean, oxygenated blood fills the left atrium of the heart through the pulmonary veins after releasing carbon dioxide in the lungs.
The blood that is already in the left atrium is then forwarded to the left ventricle of the heart to be distributed throughout the body through the main blood vessel (aorta). Blood is pumped through the aorta will continue to flow to the very end in all areas of the body.
After distributing various substances to the body's cells, the blood will return to the right atrium of the heart to undergo a blood cleansing process.
Pulmonary circulation
Pulmonary circulation or pulmonary circulation is the circulation of blood from the heart to the lungs and vice versa. This circulation takes place when blood containing carbon dioxide from the rest of the body's metabolism returns to the heart through large veins (Fig.vena cava).
Furthermore, the blood will enter the right atrium and forwarded to the right ventricle of the heart. Blood that is already in the right ventricle will be flowed to the lungs through the pulmonary arteries to be exchanged for oxygen.
Clean oxygen-rich blood will then enter the left atrium of the heart through the pulmonary veins to be circulated throughout the body.
coronary circulation
Just like other organs, the heart also needs oxygen and nutrients to function properly. Blood that carries nutrients and oxygen to the heart muscles will flow through the coronary arteries.
When the arteries to the heart are blocked (atherosclerosis), blood flow in the heart will be disrupted. This can make the heart muscles lack of oxygen and nutrients, so their function is disrupted. This condition over time can cause a heart attack.
Disorders of the Circulatory System
Disrupted blood flow can cause damage to the body's organs, causing various serious diseases. Circulatory system disorders can be caused by congenital disorders or genetic disorders or certain diseases, such as diabetes.
The following are some types of disorders or diseases that can occur in the circulatory system:
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
- Blockage of arteries (atherosclerosis)
- Coronary heart disease
- Heart failure
- Aortic aneurysm
- Heart rhythm disturbances or arrhythmias
- cardiac arrest
- Shock
- Abnormalities of the heart muscle or weakness of the heart (cardiomyopathy)
- Peripheral artery disease
- Embolism and deep vein thrombosis
- Congenital heart disease
Disorders of the circulatory system is a dangerous condition that cannot be underestimated. If not treated immediately, the condition can lead to serious complications, such as organ damage and even death.
Therefore, it is important for anyone to always maintain a healthy circulatory system by implementing a healthy lifestyle, such as exercising regularly, eating nutritious foods, limiting salt and fat intake, not smoking, and maintaining an ideal body weight.
In addition, to ensure the condition of the blood circulation system remains smooth, you also need to undergo regular medical check-ups. You can also ask your doctor if you still have questions about the human circulatory system.