Functions of the Cardiovascular

System
Transportation system of the body
Delivers oxygen and nutrients to organs
and body tissues
Carries away waste products such as
carbon dioxide
Works with the immune system to provide
defenders against body invaders, like
pathogens

Parts of the Cardiovascular System

Heart
Blood
Blood vessels

External Heart Anatomy

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Coronary Arteries

Cardiac Muscle

Right Atrium

Mitral Valve
Left Atrium

Tricuspid Valve

Aortic Valve

Right
Ventricle

Septum of the
Heart

Right Ventricle
Left Ventricle

aorta

superior vena cava

pulmonary artery
pulmonary vein

right atrium

left atrium

tricuspid valve

bicuspid valve

right ventricle

left ventricle
septum

inferior vena cava

apex
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Figure 11.2a

Circulation

Animated Heart
http://www.medtropolis.com/VBody.asp

head

lungs

body

Circulation

Blood Vessels
Function:
take blood to
the tissues
and back

head

lungs

body

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Blood Vessels
Arteries = take blood AWAY from the heart

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Blood Vessels
Capillaries = nutrient, waste, and gas
exchange between blood and body cells

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Blood Vessels
Veins = take blood TO the heart

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The Vascular System

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Blood Pressure
Systolic pressure
Bigger number

120 / 80

Top number

Ventricles contract

Diastolic pressure
Smaller number
Bottom number

Ventricles relax

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Systolic

Diastolic

How Does the Heart Beat?

Your heartbeat is controlled by an area of
nerve tissue within the heart.
This area is often called a natural
pacemaker. (It regulates the hearts
pace.)
Electrical impulses spread through the
walls of the heart, causing them to
contract.

Electrical Impulses

pacemaker

Blood

The only fluid tissue in the human body

Consists of:
Plasma = nonliving liquid

Living cells

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Blood Plasma
Composed of approximately 90 percent water
Includes many dissolved substances
Nutrients
Salts (metal ions)
Respiratory gases
Hormones
Proteins

Waste products

Three types of living blood cells

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Erythrocytes = Red Blood Cells

The main function is
to carry oxygen
Contains hemoglobin,
a protein that binds to
oxygen

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Leukocytes = White Blood Cells

Crucial in the bodys defense against
disease

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Platelets = cell fragments (pieces)

Needed for the blood clotting process
Makes blood sticky

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Human Blood Groups

The surface of red blood cells contains
proteins called antigens.
A foreign antigen may be attacked by the
immune system.

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ABO Blood Groups

Blood type is based on the presence or
absence of two antigens:
Type A antigen
Type B antigen

A antigens = Type A blood

B antigens = Type B blood
No antigens = Type O blood
Both antigens = Type AB blood
Copyright 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings

A
O

AB

Blood
group

RBC
antigens

Blood that CANNOT Blood that CAN be

be received
received

AB

A and B

None

A, B, AB, O
universal recipient

A, AB

B, O

B, AB

A, O

None

A, B, AB

O
universal donor

Rh Blood Groups
Named because of the presence or
absence of one of eight Rh antigens
Most Americans are Rh+
Problems can occur in mixing Rh+ blood
into a body with Rh blood

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Rh Dangers During Pregnancy

Danger is only when the mother is Rh and the
father is Rh+, and the child inherits the Rh+
factor

The mismatch of an Rh mother carrying an Rh+

baby can cause problems for the unborn child
The first pregnancy usually proceeds without problems

The immune system is sensitized after the first

pregnancy
In a second pregnancy, the mothers immune system
produces antibodies to attack the Rh+ blood

Copyright 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings