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What Is Involved in Blood Circulation?
The process of blood circulation occurs in the circulatory system. Blood must travel throughout the body to provide cells, tissues, and organs with nutrients and oxygen. Circulating blood also must assist in the removal of waste products. Blood circulation is necessary to sustain life.
Blood circulation is maintained within the circulatory system. Veins, arteries, and other vessels provide a network of tubes for blood to travel all over the body. Circulation begins with the heart pumping blood into these vessels. The blood travels in one circular direction through the body and flows back into the heart.
Arteries are large vessels that carry the blood to and from the heart. The left ventricle sends blood to an artery called the aorta. It is the largest artery in the human body. Blood circulation continues from the aorta to smaller arterial branches. These smaller arteries continue to get smaller in size as they get farther away from the heart and will become capillaries.
In the circulatory system, the smallest vessels are the capillaries. They are the vessels that bring oxygen and nutrients carried by the blood to tissues, providing cells with what they need. Capillaries also remove carbon dioxide and other waste from tissues and cells. From this point, capillaries connect to small veins to continue blood circulation.
Veins start small at the capillaries, but they become larger as they travel up the body and get closer to the heart. The process of blood circulation continues, bringing the blood supply back to the heart. Veins become small arteries, and the arteries meet at the vena cava on the right side of the heart. This large artery brings blood back into the heart through the right ventricle, and the process beings again.
Blood circulation plays an important role in the functions of the body. Oxygen and vital cells are transported through the blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen. White blood cells seek out pathogens and abnormal cells throughout the body that can cause problems. Without blood circulating through the body, all cells, tissues, and organs would die.
Through the process of blood circulation, information can be gathered about how the body is functioning. Doctors can use tests that detect blood flow to check for blockages in vessels. Blood pressure can be measured to determine if the heart is working properly. Samples of blood can be tested to check oxygen levels in red blood cells and diagnose many different types of conditions, from infection to cancers.
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AS FEATURED ON:
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![Red light therapy may help with poor circulation.]()
Red light therapy may help with poor circulation. -
![A diagram showing different types of white blood cells.]()
By: apple1A diagram showing different types of white blood cells. -
![A diagram of the aorta, the beginning of the systemic circulatory system.]()
By: bilderzwergA diagram of the aorta, the beginning of the systemic circulatory system. -
![Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body.]()
By: ag visuellRed blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. -
![Pulmonary circulation is the movement of blood from the heart, to the lungs, and back to the heart again.]()
By: silotoPulmonary circulation is the movement of blood from the heart, to the lungs, and back to the heart again. -
![Blood pressure is the measurement of how much force the flow of blood puts on a person's arteries.]()
By: Andrei TsalkoBlood pressure is the measurement of how much force the flow of blood puts on a person's arteries. -
![The heart pumps oxygenated blood throughout the body.]()
By: OOZThe heart pumps oxygenated blood throughout the body. -
![Blood samples can be analyzed to check oxygen levels, and to diagnose many issues, diseases, and conditions.]()
By: luchschen_shutterBlood samples can be analyzed to check oxygen levels, and to diagnose many issues, diseases, and conditions. -
![Blood vessels are part of the circulatory system and are responsible for transporting blood throughout the body.]()
By: stockshoppeBlood vessels are part of the circulatory system and are responsible for transporting blood throughout the body.
Discussion Comments
I didn't know that veins are largest closest to the heart and get smaller and smaller towards the limbs. Is this why, when people are cold, their limbs turn blue first and start to freeze?
@literally45-- I'm not a doctor but I have family members with diabetes who also suffer from poor blood circulation. I think what happens is that when blood sugar is not under control, the sugar molecules damage blood vessels and also cause different types of buildup in them. And both of these lead to reduced blood flow and in turn, circulation problems.
This is why it's very important to keep your diabetes under control with medications, diet and exercise. If you keep your blood sugar levels within the normal range, you will reduce the chances of further circulation problems.
I didn't realize how important blood circulation is until I was diagnosed with diabetes. Since then I've been experiencing circulation problems. What is the cause of poor blood circulation and why does it happen to diabetics?
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