How Does the Heart Transport Blood Throughout the Human Body?
The process begins in the heart. A human's heart is divided into two sides, with each side containing two champers. The right side of the heart is responsible for pumping oxygen rich blood to the lungs, while the left side's main role is to transport blood to the body. There is a septum between the two sides, which prevents the sides from mixing with one another. One each side, there is an upper and lower chamber. The upper chamber is known are the atria, which are used for receiving blood, while the ventricles, or the lower chambers, are what pump the blood back into the body.
After the blood leaves the heart, it is transported by arteries and veins. An artery takes blood away from the heart and brings it to tissues throughout the body. The veins are responsible for bringing the blood back to the heart. The cycle is continuous to ensure that oxygen rich blood is constantly being taken to where it is needed.
Two of the main circuits in blood transportation are the pulmonary and systemic circuits. The pulmonary circuit begins by bringing oxygen poor blood back to the right atrium. The atrium then transports it to the right atrioventricular valve and into the right ventricle. This ventricle then moves it through the pulmonary semilunar valve and takes it into the pulmonary trunk and arteries. Finally, these arteries move the blood in the lungs where it is needed. The systemic circuit begins by brining oxygen rich blood back from the lungs after it has been oxygenized, transporting it into the left atrium. The atrium pumps it into the left atrioventricular valve and then into the left ventricle. The ventricle moves it through the aortic semilunar valve and into the aorta. Finally, the aorta sends the oxygen rich blood into the tissues that require it.
Source:
Benitz, Bill. Lecture: Human Biology. November 9, 2009
Published by John Smith
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