What is systemic circulation?
the path of blood as it moves from the heart throughout the body and back to the heart
the path of blood between the heart and lungs
the path of blood as it moves from the head throughout the body and back to the head
the path of blood between pharynx and trachea
The correct answer is: the path of blood as it moves from the heart throughout the body and back to the heart.
Systemic circulation refers to the path of blood as it moves from the heart throughout the body and back to the heart. This process is responsible for supplying oxygenated blood to the various organs and tissues in the body and removing waste products such as carbon dioxide.
Systemic circulation is the correct answer: the path of blood as it moves from the heart throughout the body and back to the heart.
To understand systemic circulation, we need to have some knowledge of the circulatory system. The circulatory system is responsible for transporting blood, oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body. It consists of the heart, blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries), and blood.
In systemic circulation, oxygen-rich blood is pumped out from the left side of the heart (specifically the left ventricle) into the largest artery, called the aorta. From the aorta, the oxygenated blood is distributed to all the organs, tissues, and cells in the body through a network of arteries. Arteries gradually branch out into arterioles and then into tiny capillaries.
Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels and they function as the site of exchange between the blood and the tissue cells. Here, oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the cells, and waste products like carbon dioxide are picked up. After oxygen and nutrients are delivered and waste products are collected, the blood in the capillaries becomes deoxygenated and moves into venules, which eventually join to form larger veins.
Deoxygenated blood then returns to the right side of the heart (specifically the right atrium) through two large veins called the superior vena cava (which brings blood from the upper body) and the inferior vena cava (which brings blood from the lower body). From the right atrium, blood flows into the right ventricle and is then pumped out to the lungs for oxygenation through the pulmonic circulation.
Once oxygenated in the lungs, blood returns to the left side of the heart to start another round of systemic circulation, ensuring the continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients to the body's cells and removal of waste products.
So, in summary, systemic circulation refers to the process of blood moving from the heart to all parts of the body and back to the heart, providing oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products.