Harvard Human Anatomy - Vessels & Circulation

Circulatory system

Responsible for transporting gases, nutrients, and waste products of metabolism.

Blood vascular system

Comprises blood (fluid), heart (muscular pump), and vessels for circulation.

Lymph vascular system

Includes lymph (fluid) and network of capillaries vessels including nodes.

Blood

Contains hematocytes and platelets in plasma.

Hematocrit

Percentage of blood volume occupied by hematocytes.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells carrying gases. (45% of hematocrit)

Buffy coat

Consists of leukocytes and platelets. (<1% hematocrit)

Plasma

Fluid with water, proteins, and solutes.

Plasmacrit

Percentage of plasma in a sample.

Heart

Four-chambered pump propelling blood. Divided into right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle.

Artery

Vessel carrying blood away from the heart toward tissues.

Vein

Vessel carrying blood to the heart from capillaries.

Pulmonary circulation

Heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

Systemic circulation

Heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body.

Pulmonary arteries

Arteries that carry blood to lung capillary beds.

Pulmonary veins

Transport oxygenated blood from lungs to heart.

Aorta

Artery distributing blood to the body.

Superior vena cava

Vein carrying deoxygenated blood from upper half of body to right atrium of heart.

Inferior vena cava

Vein transporting deoxygenated blood from lower half of body to right atrium of heart.

Portal vein

Carries nutrient-rich blood from GI tract to liver

Mitral valve

Separates left atrium and ventricle.

Tricuspid valve

Separates right atrium from ventricle.