What does the Circulatory System do?

Note: This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you click on them.

Our body survives due to the combined efforts and functions of the different organs and parts of the body. These organs are usually group together in systems according to their role and responsibility in the body. The digestive system, respiratory system, urinary system and reproductive system are just some examples to name a few. Each of these systems carries an important role in order for our body to function in optimum level. Any alteration or deviation from their normal functioning could already cause a serious complication or side effect in our health. Let us take our circulatory system as an example. Once this particular system of the body fails to function properly, our life can end almost in an instant. But for us to understand why; it is important for us to know first; what does the circulatory system do?

The circulatory system is composed of different internal structures. However, the three main structures are none other than the blood, the blood vessels and the heart. The circulatory system is the one responsible in delivering the blood in the different tissues or parts of the body. The blood is considered a source of life since it carries the different nutrients as well as the oxygen that fuels the different cells in the body in order to work properly. The vessels are recognized as the passageways of the blood in order for it to travel from one tissue or organ to the other. This type of process is now called as the circulation.

The blood vessels also composed of a few different types namely the arteries, capillaries and the veins. The arteries are the one responsible in carrying the oxygenated blood to the different parts of the body. Once the blood reaches its destination, the cells will now utilize the nutrients carried by the blood through the capillaries. Once the essential substances have been delivered, the blood will now travel back to the heart for re-oxygenation through the system’s veins.

The heart, on the other hand, is considered as the master organ of the circulatory system. Without the heart, the entire body is not capable of surviving. Once blood is received through the superior and inferior vena cavas, the heart will now pump blood towards the lungs in order for it to be re-oxygenated. Once done, the “clean” blood will now travel back into the heart, where it will be pumped back into the system by the left ventricle through the aortic artery. This will now, once again, deliver clean blood back to the body. This is the reason why it is called as the circulatory system since the travel of the blood is in circulation, from the heart to the tissues and back through the use of the different blood vessels. This is what the circulatory system does for our body. It may look very simple, but without this kind of process, our survival is considered no longer possible.