Introduction
The heart is a solid fist-sized organ that pumps blood throughout the heart and body to sustain life. By contracting and expanding around 100,000 times per day, the heart can circulate and pump approximately 2000 gallons of blood every day. The circulatory system is a complex mechanism of blood vessels that are interlinked with each other. The blood carries oxygen to the lungs along with nutrients to the body parts while carrying away the waste products from within the tissues.
What Are the Types of Blood Vessels Used in the Circulation of Blood Through the Heart?
There are three main types of blood vessels- arteries, capillaries, and veins, that aid in the circulation of blood throughout the heart. Mentioned below are the blood vessels in brief.
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Arteries - The aorta starts running from the heart through the center of the body, mainly the chest and abdomen. The aorta is the most robust and flexible blood vessel in the body. Being the largest artery in the body, it leaves the heart supplying blood to the rest of the body and branches multiple times to reach each and every cell.
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Capillaries - Arteries and veins are connected to each other due to the presence of tiny capillaries. Being extremely thin and fragile, capillaries aid the passage of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other elements in and out of the cell of different organs.
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Veins - The deoxygenated blood or blood rich in carbon dioxide is circulated through the veins. The superior vena cava is the most prominent vein that helps in the transport of blood from the head and arms to the heart. On the other hand, the inferior vena cava is another vital vein that brings blood from the abdomen to the heart.
What Are the Different Valves of the Heart?
The heart has four chambers- two upper sections, the right and left atrium, and two lower sections, the right and left ventricles. Parallel to four chambers, the heart has four valves: mitral, tricuspid, aortic, and pulmonary. Valves are a crucial part of the heart’s structure. They open and close as the blood passes through them. They mainly regulate the entry and exit of blood into the heart’s various chambers. The valves have flaps or leaflets that open and close. Valves with three leaflets open and close simultaneously. In order to avoid any sort of backflow of blood, the leaflets close, and vice versa is why they open.
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The mitral or bicuspid valve allows blood to flow smoothly from the left ventricle into the left. It has two leaflets.
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The tricuspid valve allows blood to flow easily from the right atrium into the right ventricle. It has three leaflets.
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The aortic valve controls smooth blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta.
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The pulmonary valve primarily allows smooth blood flow from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery. It has three leaflets.
Which Direction Does the Blood Flow Within the Heart?
The right and left sides of the heart work hand in hand, but it has been determined after vigorous clinical trials that the blood flows from the right side of the heart to the left side. The four valves have the primary function of opening and closing according to the heart’s blood flow. Therefore, when working without interruptions, the four heart valves ensure no backflow of blood. Mentioned below is the pace at which the blood flow.
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Open tricuspid and mitral valves allow the blood to flow from the atrium on the right side into the ventricle of the same side and from the left atrium into the left ventricle.
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A closed tricuspid is when the right ventricle is full. It closes to keep the blood from flowing backward into the right atrium when the ventricle contracts.
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The mitral valve closes when the ventricle is up to its total capacity. This keeps blood flowing backward into the left atrium when the ventricle contracts.
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The pulmonary artery then opens as the right ventricle begins to contract. Blood is then flown out of the right ventricle through this heart valve inside the pulmonary artery and eventually into the lungs.
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Next, the left ventricle begins to contract, and the aortic valve opens up. Blood is pumped out of the left ventricle through this valve into the aorta.
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The aorta branches into several arteries and thus provides blood to the body. Aorta is known to be the largest blood vessel of the heart as well as the entire body. It is highly flexible and has three leaflets.
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Closed pulmonic is when the right ventricle finishes contracting and starts to relax, preventing blood from backflow inside the right ventricle.
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When the left ventricle finishes contracting and begins to relax, the aortic valve is shut, thus avoiding any leakage or backflow of blood into the ventricle.
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This pattern repeatedly occurs, causing blood to flow continuously to the vital organs, primarily the heart, lungs, and rest of the body.
This pattern is repeated again and again so that there is continuous and uninterrupted blood flow between the heart, lungs, and the rest of the body.
What Is the Significance of Efficient Blood Circulation?
Efficient blood circulation plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal health and bodily function. It ensures the delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients to every cell, organ, and tissue in the body. Oxygen is necessary for cellular respiration, which generates energy for various physiological processes. Additionally, nutrients are vital for growth, repair, and the proper functioning of the body's systems. Efficient blood circulation also aids in the removal of waste products, such as carbon dioxide and metabolic byproducts, preventing their accumulation and potential harm to the body. Furthermore, proper circulation helps regulate body temperature by distributing heat throughout the body, ensuring a stable internal environment.
Conclusion
The blood is the most essential part of one of the body's most crucial systems - the circulatory system. The entire body is connected as a whole due to blood. Blood flows from the heart to the different organs that help in the survival of the tissues. Dirty blood or deoxygenated blood goes back into the heart for purification and is then transported out through the aorta. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients while extracting waste products from tissues and cells. Physical activity increases the circulation of blood and is one of the ways to maintain a healthy blood flow throughout the heart.
