Unit 7 – Introduction to the Cardiovascular System

Introduction to the Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system consists of the heart which pumps blood, a liquid connective tissue, through a system of blood vessels (arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins).  The cardiovascular system uses blood to rapidly transport oxygen from the lungs, nutrients from the digestive system, and other substances such as hormones from endocrine glands to tissues all over the body.  The cardiovascular system also works to remove metabolic wastes and carbon dioxide from body tissues and carry them to organs such as the kidneys and lungs so they can be removed from the body.

The tutorials in this unit will focus on the structure of arteries and veins and the structure and function of cardiac (heart) muscle.  An additional chapter covering blood and blood cells will eventually be added to this unit contingent on access to high quality blood cell images.