Word parts
What it means
The heart pumps blood through two loops. The pulmonary circulation carries blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen and drop off carbon dioxide; the systemic circulation carries oxygen-rich blood to every tissue through arteries, capillaries and veins, and back to the heart. It delivers oxygen, nutrients and hormones and carries wastes away.
At a glance
| Spanish | sistema cardiovascular |
|---|---|
| Also written | cardiovascular systems |
Related terms
capillary
One of the tiniest blood vessels, joining the smallest arteries to the smallest veins.
vein
A blood vessel that carries blood back toward the heart.
artery
A blood vessel that takes blood from the heart out to the body.
cardiovascular disease
Any disease of the heart or blood vessels.
bloodstream
The blood flowing through the body's blood vessels.