El body It is a perfectly designed machine, and the circulatory system is one of the fundamental gears that maintains life. This system is divided into two main circuits: the pulmonary circulation ⁢ and the systemic circulation. Although both work together to distribute blood and nutrients throughout the body, their functions and routes are different.

The pulmonary circulation is responsible for carrying blood from the heart towards the ⁢ lungs, ⁤where it is oxygenated and releases carbon dioxide. ⁢This circuit ⁤begins in the right ventricle, which pumps deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary ⁢arteries. Once in the lungs, the blood absorbs oxygen and becomes oxygenated blood, which returns to the heart through the pulmonary veins, reaching the left atrium.

The route of the systemic circulation

On the other hand, the systemic circulation is responsible for "distributing blood" oxygenated from the heart to the rest of the body, and return the blood deoxygenated ‍ back to the heart. This circuit begins in the left ventricle,⁣ which pumps oxygen-rich blood into the⁤ aorta artery. From there, the blood branches into increasingly smaller arteries until it reaches the capillaries, where the exchange of oxygen and nutrients with tissue cells occurs.

Once the blood has delivered the oxygen and picked up the carbon dioxide, it becomes deoxygenated blood and returns to the heart through the veins. First, the blood reaches the smaller veins, which join into increasingly larger veins until they form the superior and inferior vena cava, which flow into the right atrium of the heart.

Key differences between both circuits

• The pulmonary circulation is responsible for oxygenating the blood, while the systemic circulation distributes oxygenated blood throughout the body.
• The pulmonary circulation is a closed circuit between the heart and the lungs, while the systemic circulation runs throughout the body.
• The blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation is lower than in the systemic circulation.
• The pulmonary circulation only contains deoxygenated blood⁢ in the arteries‌ and oxygenated blood in the veins, ⁢while the opposite occurs in the systemic circulation.

Both circuits work in perfect harmony to maintain the equilibrium and health ⁤ of the human body. Any alteration in one of them can trigger serious health problems, such as pulmonary hypertension or heart failure. Therefore, it is essential to take care of our circulatory system with healthy habits, such as a balanced diet, regular exercise and avoiding tobacco.

The pulmonary circulation and the systemic circulation are two sides of the same coin, united ⁢by the‍ tireless beating of the heart. Together,⁢ they weave a network of blood vessels that nourish every corner of our body, allowing us to live, breathe and enjoy life to the fullest.