Circulatory System Facts & Worksheets

The circulatory system transfers blood from the heart to the lungs to get oxygen. The heart then sends oxygenated blood to the remainder of the body via the arteries, while the veins send back oxygen-depleted blood to the heart to restart circulation. The circulatory system is necessary for the organs, muscles, and tissues of the body to function properly.

See the fact file below for more information on the circulatory system, or you can download our 25-page Circulatory System worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Overview

• A blood circulatory system is a group of organs that comprises the heart, blood arteries, and blood that circulates throughout a human’s or other vertebrate’s complete body. 
• It contains the cardiovascular system, also known as the vascular system, which comprises the heart and blood arteries (from Greek kardia, the heart, and Latin vascula, the vessels). 
• The systemic circulation or circuit and the pulmonary circulation or circuit are the two parts of the circulatory system. Some publications confuse the cardiovascular and vascular systems with the circulatory systems.

Function

• The circulatory system’s purpose is to move blood throughout the body. Blood circulation keeps your organs, muscles, and tissues healthy and functioning to keep you alive.
• The circulatory system also assists your body in eliminating waste. This trash consists of carbon dioxide from breathing, other organ-related chemical byproducts, and debris from foods and beverages.
• Blood vessels, including arteries, veins, and capillaries, aid in the operation of your circulatory system. These blood veins collaborate with your heart and lungs to pump blood continually throughout your body. Here’s how it’s done:

1. The bottom right pumping chamber of the heart (right ventricle) transfers oxygen-poor blood to the lungs, where it passes through the pulmonary trunk (the main pulmonary artery)
2. In the lungs, blood cells absorb oxygen.
3. The pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart’s left atrium (upper heart chamber).
4. The pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart’s left atrium (upper heart chamber). This muscular section of the heart circulates blood throughout the body via the arteries.
5. Blood accumulates and excretes nutrients, hormones, and waste materials as it circulates through your body and organs.
6. The veins return deoxygenated blood and carbon dioxide to the heart, which then transports it to the lungs.
7. When you exhale, your lungs expel the carbon dioxide.

Anatomy

• All cells in the body need oxygen, nutrition, and waste removal, which are the circulatory system’s primary functions. The heart, blood, and arteries all work together to serve the body’s cells. 
• The arteries, veins, and capillaries collectively deliver carbon dioxide to the lungs (for exhalation) and oxygen to the lungs. Dietary nutrients are transported from the small intestine to all cells via the blood.

Heart

• The heart is responsible for the circulation of blood around the body. It is located inside the chest, in front of the lungs, and on the left side. 
• The heart is a dual pump with four chambers. The right and left atriums are your upper chambers, and the right and left ventricles are the lowest chambers.
• The contractions of the chambers produce heartbeats. Each heart chamber serves the following functions:

Right Atrium

• The right atrium begins the process by absorbing all of your body’s oxygen-depleted (deoxygenated) blood. Blood enters the body via two prominent veins, the superior and inferior vena cava. This blood is taken by your right atrium and passed to the next player, your right ventricle.

Right Ventricle

• The tricuspid valve circulates blood from your right atrium into the right ventricle.
• The right ventricle swiftly responds by forcing this blood past your pulmonary valve through your pulmonary arteries and out of your lungs. 
• The blood obtains the oxygen it requires to fuel the rest of your body in your lungs. The blood is then refreshed and ready to resume its journey via your pulmonary veins back to your left atrium.

Left Atrium

• The oxygen-rich (oxygenated) blood is virtually ready to move around your body once it reaches your left atrium. Both atria can be considered reservoirs, and your right atrium contains oxygen-depleted blood, whereas your left atrium contains oxygen-rich blood. This blood is sent via your mitral valve and into your left ventricle.

Left Ventricle

• The left ventricle is the final stop in your heart’s four chambers. The left ventricle actively pushes blood via your aortic valve, allowing it to circulate throughout your body. Every heartbeat, the process is repeated.

Blood Vessels

• Blood vessels vary in size and form based on their function in the body. Blood vessels are classified into three types:

Arteries

• Oxygenated blood is pushed from the heart through muscular arteries. Arteries spread out like tree branches until they become thin. The aorta is the largest artery, linked to the heart and carrying oxygenated blood from the left ventricle. The pulmonary artery, which joins the heart and lungs, is the sole artery that receives deoxygenated blood.

Capillaries

• The arteries branch out to form the tiniest blood artery, the capillary. Because capillaries are so tiny, blood cells can only pass through one at a time. Capillaries are also linked to veins, allowing cell waste to be transported to the blood.

Veins

• Veins employ one-way valves instead of muscles to avoid the backward flow of blood. Veins transmit deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart, then transport it to the lungs. The network of pulmonary veins, which delivers oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart, is an exception.

Blood

• Blood is composed of the following: the red blood cells, which transport oxygen; white blood cells, that is part of the immune system; platelets, which are needed for clothing; and plasma, which is a liquid in which blood cells, nutrients, and wastes float.

Circulatory Circuits

• Your circulatory system is divided into three circuits. Blood flows consistently via your heart and these circuits:

Pulmonary Circuit

• This circuit transports oxygen-free blood from the heart to the lungs, and the pulmonary veins are accountable for returning oxygenated blood to the heart.

Systematic Circuit

• This circuit transports blood containing oxygen, nutrients, and hormones from the heart to the other parts of the body. As the body requires oxygen, nutrients, and hormones, the blood takes up waste materials in the veins.

Coronary Circuit

• Coronary refers to the arteries in your heart, and this circuit delivers oxygenated blood to the cardiac muscle. The coronary circuit then transfers oxygen-depleted blood to the heart’s right upper chamber (atrium) for delivery to the lungs.

Conditions And Disorders

• Many disorders can have an impact on your circulatory system’s health, including:

Aneurysms

• Aneurysms form when the arterial wall weakens and expands. As blood flows through the artery, the weak area may expand. 
• The weak region may rip, resulting in a potentially fatal rupture. Aneurysms can ensue in any artery, but the most frequent are aortic aneurysms, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and brain aneurysms.

High Blood Pressure

• The arteries work incredibly hard to transport blood throughout your body. High blood pressure occurs when the pressure (force of blood on the blood vessel walls) becomes very high. 
• Less blood and oxygen reach organs such as the heart as the arteries become less elastic (stretchy). High blood pressure increases the probability of developing cardiovascular disease, heart attack, or stroke.

Plaque Deposits

• Diabetes and high cholesterol can cause fat and other chemicals in the blood, and these chemicals develop plaques on the arterial walls. This disorder is known as atherosclerosis, which refers to restricted or hardened arteries. 
• Blood clots and strokes, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease (and other artery disorders), heart attacks, and renal disease are all increased by atherosclerosis.

Venous Disease

• Venous disorders mainly affect the veins in the lower body. When blood cannot flow back to the heart and collects in leg veins, conditions such as chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins develop. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot in the legs, can result in a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism.

Health Care Tips

• These actions can help safeguard your circulatory system’s health:

1. Every week, try to obtain at least 150 minutes of exercise.
2. Consume a heart-healthy diet high in veggies and fiber while low in saturated fats and processed foods: a Mediterranean-style or plant-based diet is considered the most heart-healthy.
3. Find healthy strategies to cope with stress.
4. Keep a healthy weight.
5. High blood pressure, excessive cholesterol, and diabetes are all illnesses that must manage.
6. Get assistance with quitting smoking.

Circulatory System Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the circulatory system across 25 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Circulatory System worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the circulatory system which is the system of vessels and organs through which blood flows and nutrients are transported throughout the body. It is also known as the cardiovascular system.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

• Circulatory System Facts
• System of Systems
• Quick Questions
• Define the Differences
• Skip A Beat
• Walls, Vessels, Veins
• Heart Parts
• Odd One Out
• Hows of a Heartbeat
• Decode the Disease
• A Healthy Heart

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the circulatory system?

A blood circulatory system is a group of organs that comprises the heart, blood arteries, and blood that circulates throughout a human’s or other vertebrate’s complete body. 

What are the function of the arteries, veins, and capillaries?

The arteries, veins, and capillaries collectively deliver carbon dioxide to the lungs (for exhalation) and oxygen to the lungs.

How does the circulatory system work?

Blood vessels, including arteries, veins, and capillaries, aid in the operation of your circulatory system. These blood veins collaborate with your heart and lungs to pump blood continually throughout your body. 

What are the circuits of the circulatory system?

The circulatory system is divided into three circuits: the pulmonary, systematic, and coronary. Blood flows consistently via your heart and these circuits.

What causes high blood pressure?

The arteries work incredibly hard to transport blood throughout your body. High blood pressure occurs when the pressure (force of blood on the blood vessel walls) becomes very high. Less blood and oxygen reach organs such as the heart, and high blood pressure increases the probability of developing cardiovascular disease, heart attack, or stroke.

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