Blood circulation

Blood circulation is the continuous movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels. It transports oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products around the body.

Cardiac cycle: The sequence of contraction and relaxation in the heart during one heartbeat. Its alternating contractions and relaxations propel blood through the circulation.
Heart: A muscular organ that pumps blood through the circulatory system. Its chambers and valves keep blood moving in the correct direction.
Coronary circulation: The blood supply serving the heart muscle. The heart depends on its own vessels to receive oxygen while pumping.
Open circulatory system: A transport system in which circulatory fluid leaves vessels and bathes organs directly. Unlike human circulation, it does not keep blood enclosed within a continuous vessel network.
Pulmonary circulation: The route carrying blood from the heart to the lungs and back. This circuit sends blood to the lungs for gas exchange before returning it to the heart.
Arteries: Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. Their elastic walls receive blood under pressure from the heart.
Cerebral circulation: The blood flow supplying the brain. The brain's continuous oxygen demand makes its blood supply especially consequential.
Single circulation: A circulation pattern in which blood passes through the heart once during each complete circuit. It contrasts with the double circulation of humans, which routes blood through the heart twice per circuit.
Systemic circulation: The route carrying blood from the heart to the body's tissues and back. This circuit distributes oxygenated blood to organs and returns blood to the heart.
Veins: Blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart. They return blood from the tissues, often aided by valves and muscle contractions.

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