The circulatory system comprises of 4 crucial components that have specific roles and functions. The components include:
Heart
Blood
Blood Vessels
Lymph
Human circulatory system/ blood vascular system comprises Heart (a muscular chambered organ), blood vessels (a network of closed branching vessels) and blood (the fluid which is circulated).
Heart- situated in the thoracic cavity, in between two lungs, slightly tilted to left, size of a clenched fist.
pericardium - double walled membranous bag, protects heart, encloses pericardial fluid.
-has four chambers- atria - small upper chambers, ventricles - two larger lower chambers
- interatrial septum - A thin, muscular wall, separates the right and the left atria.
- inter-ventricular septum - thick-walled, separates left and right ventricles.
-atrio-ventricular septum- a thick fibrous tissue that separates atrium and ventricle of same side, each of these septa are provided with an opening through which the two chambers of the same side remain connected.
Blood
Blood is the body’s fluid connective tissue and it plays an important role in circulating nutrients, hormones, minerals and other necessary products to different parts of the body. Blood flows through a specified set of pathways called blood vessels. The organ which is involved in pumping blood to different body parts is the heart.
Blood Vessels
Blood vessels are a network of pathways through which blood travels throughout the body. Arteries and veins are the two primary types of blood vessels in the circulatory system of the body.
Lymph
The human circulatory system consists of another body fluid called lymph. It is also known as tissue fluid. It is a colourless fluid consisting of salts, proteins, water, etc. which transport and circulates digested food and absorbed fat to intercellular spaces in the tissues. Unlike the circulatory system, lymph is not pumped, instead, it passively flows through a network of vessels.
