Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 2.1
Vasculature of the
human body. Circulation
is based on the vascular
network system of arteries
and veins that is distributed
throughout the entire body.
Oxygenated blood (
red
) is
supplied by the aorta to the
rest of the human body by
an intricate network of small
arteries and arterioles. Deox-
ygenated blood (
blue
) from
these organs is transported
via the venules, veins and
finally the vena cava back to
the heart for oxygenation in
the respiratory system
comprises the pulmonary system; the coronary system; and the systemic system. It
is common to combine both the pulmonary system with the coronary system to form
a system known as the cardiopulmonary system.
The cardiovascular system is an inter-connection of arteries and veins that branch
at multiple levels to reach all parts of the human body via an intricate network of
vessels (Fig.
2.1
). Functionally there are the arterial and venous networks that sup-
ply oxygenated and return de-oxygenated blood respectively. Blood circulation is
achieved by the vascular system such that oxygenated blood (represented in red) is
transported from the heart via the aorta to all parts of the body. The de-oxygenated
blood (represented in blue) results after oxygen is depleted from the blood and used
by the cells to produce energy and waste within the body. As illustrated, oxygen-
ation and de-oxygenation occurs at designated tissues and organs in the system of
vascular networks. In CHD modelling we focus primarily on this system. Cardiac
health issues arise when this system fails transport the blood through the network.
The lymphatic system is made up of lymph vessels and nodes forming an open
network of intricate tubes to transport lymph throughout the body, thus acting as
the secondary circulatory system. As it moves through the body it maintains fluid
levels in the body and filters out bacteria by collects waste products and disposes
them through certain organs in the body such as the bladder, bowel, lungs, and skin.
A major difference between the cardiovascular and the lymphatic system is that the
latter does not have a pump (e.g. heart) to move the lymph and instead relies on
muscle contractions and gravity to move it through the body.
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