| The circulatory
system is composed of vessels and
muscles that control the flow of
blood around the body. This
process of blood flowing around
the body is called circulation.
The main components of the
circulatory system are the heart,
arteries, capillaries and the
veins. Let's take a look at
how blood travels around your
body. Here are a selection of
diagrams to help you understand
the cycle. The first step of
Blood leaves the heart from the
left ventricle into the biggest
artery, called the aorta. The
heart is a strong muscle, which
is divided into 4 compartments
(the left and right atrium and
ventricles). It is important that
fresh blood from the aorta goes
directly to the brain, because
the brain needs oxygen constantly
otherwise we get irreversible
damage. Another important organ
for the blood to pass through is
the lung. Here waste carbon
dioxide is replaced with fresh
oxygen. The pressure in the
arteries is higher than in the
veins. Blood returns to the heart
through the veins.
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