TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - The Cardiovascular System A1 - Homeister, Jonathon W. A1 - Kelly, Karen L. A2 - Reisner, Howard M. PY - 2020 T2 - Pathology: A Modern Case Study, 2e AB - The heart is at the center of the cardiovascular system. The left side of the heart pumps blood oxygenated in the lungs through the aorta, arteries, arterioles, and capillaries, to the organs of the body. The organ tissues extract oxygen and nutrients from the blood in the capillaries, in exchange for carbon dioxide and waste products. The deoxygenated blood is returned to the right side of the heart through venules, veins, and the venae cavae. The right side of the heart pumps the blood through the lungs where it is again oxygenated, and back to the left side of the heart. Blood moves through this system due to pressure gradients and unidirectional valves, similar to a household plumbing system. However, unlike the static household system, the living components of our cardiovascular system are dynamic, adjusting pressure and flow to regulate blood flow and delivery to the organs of the body as dictated by physiologic need to maintain organ function and homeostasis. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1173768778 ER -