Blood and the Body

We have a "closed" circulatory system, meaning that blood is confined within the chambers of the heart and blood vessels. The blood is pumped by the heart and continuously flows through arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins. The right side of the heart pushes blood through the pulmonary circuit so that it can be oxygenated in the lungs. The left side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the entire body via the systemic circuit.