KATE M. GIMARANGAN
MT30 – CC LEC
Circulatory System

The circulatory system is composed of a heart and blood vessels that keep us alive. To start with, the innermost layer of the circulatory system lies your endothelium, which is a single layer of flat cells that forms a smooth lining to minimize friction. Depending on the body’s needs, a layer of smooth muscle contracts and relaxes, regulating the blood flow. Another tissue contributing to the circulatory system is the connective tissue, which is responsible for providing strength and support to these vessels.

Moreover, the heart is responsible for pumping blood through arteries, which carry oxygen-rich blood away. Alongside the heart are the veins, which have thinner walls and return oxygen-depleted blood. Capillaries are the smallest vessels that connect the two, allowing the vital exchange of nutrients, gases, and waste products between blood and tissues.

Thus, all of the circulatory system’s functions ensure a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients distributed throughout the body, and waste products are removed and transported to the lungs and kidneys for disposal.

References
Circulatory System: Anatomy and Function. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved June 11, 2024, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21775-circulatory-system