3.

2 Function of the Cardiovascular

System

I will identify the major structures of the cardiovascular

system. I will describe and explain the function of each
structure mentioned in the previous assignment.
The main function of the cardiovascular system is to
deliver oxygen and other nutrients to the tissues in the
body via the bloodstream.

Brief overall explanation

Blood is constantly coming and going from the heart. I will
begin by explaining the left side of the heart. Oxygenated
blood enters the left atrium via the pulmonary veins. The
atrium fills until it is full. Once full, the Mitral valve will
open and the blood will enter the left ventricle. Once this
has filled an impulse will cause a contraction and as the
pressure gets so high, it will leave the heart via an Aorta
to the rest of the body. Blood is needed around the body
to fuel muscles with oxygen. On the right side of the heart
the structure is similar but slightly smaller. Deoxygenated
blood enters the heart via the Vena Cava entrance. This
goes directly into the right atrium. At this point the
Tricuspid valve is shut to stop blood escaping. Once the
atrium fills, the Tricuspid valve opens allowing the right
ventricle to fill with deoxygenated blood. Again, once this
has filled the pulmonary valve opens and oxygen is
pumped to the left and right lungs via a Pulmonary artery.
At the lungs blood discharges carbon dioxide and other
waste products and picks up oxygen and other vital
nutrients. This oxygenated blood goes back to the other
side of the heart ready to be pumped around the body for
energy/fuel. This is a continuous cycle, but there are many
things going on at once.

There are 2 systems in this process. The ‘Pulmonary

circulation’ and the ‘Systemic circulation’. The pulmonary
circulation works with the blood starting at the lungs and
ending at the lungs and the Systemic circulation deals
with blood from heart, to the body and back to the heart.
The heart is separated with a Septum to stop any mixtures
of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.

On the left side of the heart, blood comes in through the

‘Pulmonary vein’ (Carries oxygenated blood from the
lungs to the left atrium of the heart). The left side always
has oxygenated blood, where as the right has
deoxygenated blood.
In order for the blood to get to and from the heart as
efficiently as possible there are various structures in place
to assist. This is the order of the process;
1. Heart
2. Artery – These are quite thick as there in high

pressure at this point.

3. Arteriole – This structure goes from thick to thin like a

tunnel. At the end of it, it is thin allowing blood to get

into the next structure safely.
4. Capillary/muscle.
5. Venule – These start off thick and as they go on, they

get thinner ready to enter the veins.

6. Vein – Joined onto the venule, these are thin and
carry blood back to the heart.
7. Returns to heart.

Cardiac cycle
This is a sequence which makes up one heartbeat and
lasts for about 0.8 seconds. It occurs about 72 times per
minute. Having said this, it depends on the fitness of the
individuals. Heart rate is the number of contractions in a
minute.

The cycle consists of a period of relaxation (Diastole) and

contraction (Systole) during which time an electrical
impulse from the SA node is initiated in a set timed
sequence.

• Cardiac diastole – Heart relaxes, and the atria fill with

blood. At this point all valves are closed to stop blood
escaping. After this, the valves open allowing blood
to leave the atria and enter the ventricles. During
this, the semi lunar valves close.
• Atrial systole – SA node initiates causing a wave like
contraction across each atrium. All the blood is
pushed past the atrio ventricular valves into the
lower chambers of the heart. As this occurs, the semi
lunar valve remains closed to stop blood leaving the
heart.
• Ventricular systole – A wave reaches AV node.
Another contraction then spread across the
ventricular walls. This causes the atrio ventricular
valves to close. Pressure in the ventricle increases. A
baroreceptor is present to detect the blood pressure.
The blood will flow until the ventricles fill. Once they
fill the pulmonary valve (right side) and the Aortic
valve (left side) open. Blood then flows into the lungs
and around the body. Using the pulmonary and
systemic circuit.

Conduction system
An impulse is sent from the brain. The part of the brain
which controls the heart involuntarily is in the ‘Medulla
Oblongata’. The impulse initiates at the SA node. This
causes the atria section of the heart to relax. At this point
the atrium is filling up with blood. This is called Atrial
diastole. The next part is called Ventricular diastole. This is
when the ventricles relax. When they relax they get
bigger, ready for the large amount of blood to enter. As
the build up in blood gets so great in the Atria, this causes
Atrioventricular valves to open and the blood goes into the
ventricles. The last stage consists of the SA node sending
an impulse to the ventricles to contract and pump the
blood out of the heart, through the capillaries and to
muscles/tissues which need the energy to work
effectively. The impulses are sent down Purkinje fibres.
The heart also has a bundle of his which connects the AV
and SA node to the septum in the heart.

Cardiac control centre

This system is responsible for regulating heart rate. It is
controlled by an ‘Automatic nervous system’ (ANS).
ANS is under involuntary controls and consists of 2
different systems. They are;
• Sympathetic nervous system – This increases heart
rate. They send impulses via the accelerator nerve to
the SA node in the heart. They release various
substances which increase heart rate. Heart rate is
likely to speed up like this during exercise,
nervousness, excitement, fear, anxiousness and
various other emotions.
 • Parasympathetic nervous system – This decreases
heart rate. Impulses are sent out via a Vagus nerve.
They are sent to the SA node where the heart rate
slows down. Body temperature can slow down a
person heart rate.

Increase HR Cardiac control

Decrease HR

Sympathetic nervous system Parasympathetic

nervous system

Accelerator nerve Vagus nerve

SA node

The body has Proprioceptors which inform the cardiac

control centre that movement has increased. It also has a
Chemoreceptor which can detect a decrease in blood PH
due to the increase of lactic acid and co2 in the muscles.
Another receptor in the body is called the Baroreceptors.
These detect an increase in the blood pressure.
This is the process when cardiac output increases during
endurance activities.
The chemo and baroreceptors detect a change. This then
stimulates the cardiac control centre. This initiates the
sympathetic nervous system which sends a pulse via the
accelerator nerve. The pulse goes to the SA node. As a
result of these changes heart rate and stroke volume
increases (cardiac output/Q).

Diagram showing the CV system working