verenkiertoalueen

verenkiertoalueen, also known as the circulatory or cardiovascular system, is the body’s network responsible for transporting blood, nutrients, gases, and waste products through the bloodstream. The system comprises the heart, blood vessels—including arteries, veins, and capillaries—and blood itself. The heart, a muscular organ roughly the size of a fist, contracts rhythmically to pump blood throughout the entire network. Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to tissues, while veins return deoxygenated blood back toward the heart. Capillaries, the smallest vessels, facilitate the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and metabolic products between blood and surrounding cells.

Key functions of the circulatory system include delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues, removing metabolic waste such as carbon dioxide, regulating temperature, and defending the body by transporting white blood cells and antibodies. Hormonal signals modulate blood vessel diameter, influencing blood pressure and flow. The system is integral to the homeostatic control of body fluids, pH, and electrolyte balance.

Disorders affecting the circulatory system—such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease—can severely impact overall health. Preventive measures, including regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, and avoidance of tobacco, help maintain circulatory function. Blood tests, imaging studies, and electrocardiography are common diagnostic tools for evaluating circulatory health. Continuous research into cardiovascular biology and medicine continues to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of circulatory diseases.