Biology 12
Vascular Pathways
Name: ___________________
The heart can be considered a “double pump” as it pushes blood twice Date: ________________
& along two separate pathways to reach the lungs & then the rest of the body.
Block: _____
THE PULMONARY CIRCUIT- circulates blood from the heart through the LUNGS
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deoxygenated blood travels from Right Atrium & R. ventricle of heart through
the pulmonary arteries to the lungs.
The arterioles of the lung bring blood to the pulmonary capillaries in the lung
tissue where CO2 and O2 are exchanged.
Oxygenated blood then leaves the capillaries, enters the pulmonary venules then
the pulmonary veins which finally bring the oxygenated blood back to the heart
at the left atrium
SYSTEMIC CIRCUIT- circulates blood through the body tissues.
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includes all the blood vessels in the body EXCEPT those in the pulmonary circuit
moves oxygenated blood from Left Ventricle of heart through the organs
& tissues of the body then back to the Right Atrium.
in this system arteries always carry oxygenated blood & veins always
carry deoxygenated blood.
Summary of the Major Blood Vessels You Should Know:
 SUBCLAVIAN ARTERY AND
VEIN -= around clavicle
 CAROTID ARTERY - neck
 JUGULAR VEIN - blood from head
 MESENTERIC ARTERIES connect to intestines
 PULMONARY VEIN - carry
oxygenated blood to left atrium
 ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR
VENAE CAVA - superior above,
inferior below heart
 HEPATIC VEIN - connects to inf.  HEPATIC PORTAL VEIN venae cava
connects intestine with liver
 RENAL ARTERY AND VEIN  ILIAC ARTERY AND VEIN - leads
connect kidneys and veins
from aorta into legs
 CORONARY ARTERY AND
 AORTA - largest artery, leaves
VEIN- supply heart muscle itself
heart, supplies all tissues
You should also be able to describe blood flow around the body through any major organ.
EX: path of blood to kidneys: ___________  __________  ________________ 
_____________  _____________  _____________  ____________  __________
The Hepatic Portal System The hepatic portal vein (H.P.V.) is unique because it both begins and ends in capillaries
 The H.P.V connects capillaries in the villi (in small intestine) to the capillaries in the liver
 Carries nutrient rich blood from digestion to the liver for processing
 After blood has been processed at the liver it travels to the inferior vena cava via the
hepatic vein
Coronary Arteries & Veins
 Vessels essential for life because deliver nutrients & oxygen to the heart muscle itself
 if a coronary artery becomes plugged with cholesterol, a heart attack occurs
 atherosclerosis is the hardening of arteries caused by plaque deposits & limits
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circulation
Coronary Bypass Surgery uses segments of leg veins and grafts them between the
aorta and coronary vessels in order to by pass a blockage