The Circulatory System
The circulatory system components are the heart, blood vessels, blood, lymph and other structures. The circulatory system is responsible for the continuous movement or transportation of fluids namely blood and lymph through designated pathways. The vessels that carry these fluids are the arteries, veins, and thin walled capillaries of the lymphatic system. The body actually has two circulatory systems:
- Pulmonary System: The blood, which no longer contains
oxygen and nutrients, goes back to the heart through a pulmonary artery.
Then it is transported into veins that transport it to the lungs. There it
picks up oxygen and eliminates waste carbon dioxide and returns the oxygenated
blood back (called a "gas exchange") to the heart to be transferred
over to the systemic circulatory system.
- Systemic System: The oxygenated blood is pumped out
of the left side of the heart and enters the aorta. At the aorta arch the
aorta branches off into pathways that will transport the blood through arteries
and veins to every organ and tissue in the body. The blood finds its way,
enters the thin-walled capillaries (found in body tissue) where it feeds
nutrients and oxygen to all cells and take away carbon dioxide, water, and
waste and back to the heart.
Poor circulation can lead to a clogged colon and arteries, heart disease,
cold hands and feet, fatigue and memory lapses or forgetfulness. It is also
necessary to protect circulation tissues from free radicals and environmental
hazards such as automobile exhaust
A clean and detoxified environment of the colon is essential, along with a
dietary balance of quality protein, rich iron, zinc, Vitamin C and E. The intake
of vital nutrients of pure water, potassium, calcium and magnesium makes a
healthy circulatory system.
Respiratory System
Organs of the respiratory system includes the nasal cavity (nose), sinuses, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs. The mentioned organs are situated in either the upper respiratory tract or the lower respiratory tract. The upper respiratory tract houses the nasal cavity, sinuses, pharynx and larynx and the lower respiratory tract houses the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and lungs.
When a breath of air is taken in, it enters your nose or mouth, passing through the sinuses and travels down a long tube called the trachea, passing the larynx (voice box) on its way. The nose should be the natural passage for the entrance of air; as the mouth and pharynx form part of the digestive system. The nasal cavity has an arrangement of bones and narrow channels that contain an ample supply of blood vessels that moisten and warm the air coming in. The hairs of the nostrils act as air filters.
The trachea (windpipe) is a flexible tube made of hyaline cartilage and fibrous tissue that two bronchial tubes or primary bronchi connect to. The trachea and its counterparts are lined internally with a mucous membrane containing fine hair-like projections called cilia. Cilias have a very important role as they continuous move in a wave-like fashion to clear the air passage of any foreign particles and moves phlegm up into the mouth cavity.
The air pushes through the trachea into the primary bronchi (plural), that is made up of the same hyaline cartilage and fibrous tissue as the trachea. The primary bronchi branches off; into a left primary bronchus and a right primary bronchus (singular - bronchi); each enter the left and right lobe of the lung respectively.
Further into the journey, the air, travels into smaller bronchi called the secondary bronchi; that branches off into smaller subdivisions called bronchial tubes, or bronchioles. The bronchioles terminate into groups of alveoli, or air sacs. At this point the air enters the lungs.
The lungs are the main organs of the respiratory system. The human body has two of these highly elastic, spongy organs; that consume a large area of the chest cavity. Separated from the lungs by connective tissues and fissures the lungs contain lobes. The left lung has two lobes and the right lung has three lobes. Each lobe contains nerves, lymphatics, blood vessels and duct that contain the groups of alveoli. This is where the air is processed. An actual gas or oxygen-to-carbon dioxide exchange takes place in the lobes. Inhaled air by the lungs takes out the oxygen breathed (act of inspiration) and exhales carbon dioxide (act of expiration).
Some health diseases, disorders and conditions of the respiratory system are: lung cancer, asthma, bronchiectasis, emphysema and Acute Respiratory Distress syndrome. Mesothelioma (asbestos lung) disease is only one of the many industrial, occupational and individual exposure risks associated with diseases of the lungs.
Antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta carotene as well as a source of rich nutrients are critical in keep the environment of the respiratory system in balance.
I have outlined the immune/lymphatic systems as their own category for educational purposes, though they are part of the respiratory system. |
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