The cardiovascular system

atrial systole this blood passes into the left ventricle, and
during ventricular systole it is forced into the aorta, the
first artery of the general circulation.
CIRCULATION OF THE BLOOD
learning outcomes
Systemic or general circulation
The blood pumped out from the left ventricle is carried
by the branches of the aorta around the body and is
returned to the right atrium of the heart by the superior
and inferior venae cavae. Figure 5.32 shows the general
positions of the aorta and the main arteries of the limbs.
Figure 5.33 provides an overview of the venae cavae and
the veins of the limbs.
The circulation of blood to the different parts of the
body will be described in the order in which their arteries
branch off the aorta.
After studying this section, you should be able to:
describe the circulation of the blood through the
lungs, naming the main vessels involved
.' list the arteries supplying blood to all major body
structures, including the heart itself
describe the venous drainage involved in return.ing
blood to the heart from the body
describe the arrangement of blood
to the portal circulation
vessels relating
explain the physiological importance of the portal
cireu Iatio n.
Aorta
The aorta (Fig. 5.29 begins at the upper part of the left
ventricle and, after passing upwards for a short way, it
arches bac!wards and to the left. It then descends behind
the heart through the thoracic cavity a little to the left of
the thoracic vertebrae. "t the level of the #2th thoracic
vertebra it passes behind the diaphragm then down$
wards in the abdominal cavity to the level of the %th lum$
bar vertebra, where it divides into the right and left
common iliac arteries.
Throughout its length the aorta gives off numerous
branches. &ome of the branches are paired, i.e. there is a
"lthough circulation of blood round the body is continu$
ous (Fig. 5.#' it is convenient to describe it in two parts(
) pulmonary circulation
) systemic or general circulation.
9
Pulmonary circulation
This consists of the circulation of blood from the right
ventricle of the heart to the lungs and bac! to the left
right
right
some
and left branch of the same name, for instance, the
and left renal arteries supplying the !idneys, and
are single or unpaired, e.g. the coeliac artery.
atrium. *n the lungs,
o+ygen is absorbed.
The pulmonary
artery
carbon dio+ide is e+creted and
or trun!, carrying deoxygenated
blood, leaves the upper part of the right ventricle of the
heart. It passes upwards and divides into left and right
pulmonary arteries at the level of the 5th thoracic vertebra.
The left pulmonary artery runs to the root of the left lung
where it divides into two branches, one passing into each
lobe.
The right pulmonary artery passes to the root of the right
lung and divides into two branches. The larger branch
Thoracic aorta
This part of the aorta is above the diaphragm and is
described in three parts(
)
)
)
ascending aorta
arch of the aorta
descending aorta in the thora+.
carries blood to the middle and
smaller branch to the upper lobe.
,ithin the lung these arteries
lower lobes, and the
Ascening aorta
This is about 5 cm long and lies behind the sternum.
The right and left coronary arteries are its only branches
and they arise from the aorta -ust above the level of the
aortic valve (Fig. 5.#..
divide and subdivide
into smaller arteries, arterioles and capillaries. The inter$
change of gases ta!es place between capillary blood and
air in the alveoli of the lungs (p. 255. *n each lung the
capillaries containing o+ygenated
eventually form two veins.
blood -oin up and
Arc! o" t!e aorta
The arch of the aorta is a continuation of the ascending
aorta. It begins behind the manubrium of the sternum
Two pulmonary veins leave each lung, returning o+y$
genated blood to the left atrium of the heart. /uring