pulmonary circuit
The pulmonary circuit is a part of the cardiovascular system that specifically deals with the circulation of blood between the heart and the lungs
The pulmonary circuit is a part of the cardiovascular system that specifically deals with the circulation of blood between the heart and the lungs. The primary function of the pulmonary circuit is to facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and the air in the lungs.
The circuit begins when deoxygenated blood, rich in carbon dioxide, returns from the body and enters the right atrium of the heart. From here, the blood flows into the right ventricle and is then pumped out of the heart through the pulmonary artery. This artery splits into two branches, one for each lung, and carries the deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
Within the lungs, the blood enters a network of tiny blood vessels called pulmonary capillaries, which are surrounded by numerous air sacs called alveoli. As the blood passes through these capillaries, it comes into close contact with the alveoli, where gas exchange occurs. Oxygen from the inhaled air diffuses across the thin capillary walls into the blood, while carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration, passes from the blood into the alveoli. This exchange is facilitated by the high concentration of oxygen in the alveoli and the low concentration of oxygen in the deoxygenated blood, as well as the high concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood and low concentration in the alveoli.
After the oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal in the lungs, the blood becomes oxygenated and travels back to the heart through the pulmonary veins. These veins bring oxygenated blood from the lungs and enter the left atrium of the heart. The oxygenated blood then flows into the left ventricle and is further pumped out of the heart into the systemic circulation through the aorta, where it supplies oxygen and nutrients to the rest of the body.
In summary, the pulmonary circuit ensures that deoxygenated blood is directed from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal, and then returns oxygenated blood back to the heart to be distributed to the rest of the body. This vital process allows for the continuous supply of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide to support cellular respiration and maintain overall homeostasis.
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