The location of the heart The function of the heart The structure of the heart How blood moves through the four chambers of the heart Systemic and pulmonary circulation The structure and functions of blood vessels Blood pressure Blood pressure classifications

1. Level 2 Fitness Instruction
Anatomy & Physiology

2. Anatomy & Physiology
The Circulatory System

3. By the end of this session you will be able to:
• Identify the location of the heart
• Describe the function of the heart
• Describe the structure of the heart
• Describe how blood moves through the four chambers of the
heart
• Describe systemic and pulmonary circulation
• Describe the structure and functions of blood vessels
• Define blood pressure
• Identify blood pressure classifications
Learning outcomes
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4. The location and function of the heart
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It is a muscular pump which
pushes oxygen and nutrients
around the body.
The heart is found behind the
sternum and ribcage (thoracic
cavity), between the left an right
lungs, just left of centre.

5. The structure of the heart
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• Right half receives blood from the
body and pumps blood to the
lungs
• Left half receives blood from the
lungs and pumps blood to the
body
• Two upper chambers (atria)
receive blood from the lungs
• Two lower chambers (ventricles)
are the chambers that pump blood
into the arteries

6. Blood flow through the heart
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left
ventricle (LV)
left
atrium (LA)
pulmonary
vein
aorta
right
ventricle (RV)
right
atrium (RA)
superior
vena cava
inferior
vena cava
pulmonary
artery

7. Systemic and pulmonary circulation
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Pulmonary circulation is the circulation of blood
between the heart and the lungs.
• The pulmonary heart chambers are the left atrium
and right ventricle.
• The pulmonary blood vessels are the pulmonary
artery and the pulmonary vein.

8. Systemic and pulmonary circulation
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Systemic circulation is the circulation between the
heart and the body
• The systemic heart chambers are the left ventricle
and right atrium.
• The systemic blood vessels are the aorta and the
vena cava.

9. The structure and function of blood vessels
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There are three types of blood vessels
• Arteries
• Veins
• Capillaries

10. Arteries
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• Carry blood away from the heart
• Carry oxygenated blood (except for the
pulmonary artery)
• Have thick, muscular and elastic walls
• Deep beneath skin surface
• Blood flows rapidly in them, under high
pressure
• Do not have valves

11. Veins
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• Carry blood to the heart
• Carry deoxygenated blood (except for the
pulmonary vein)
• Have thin walls
• Located close to skin surface
• Blood flows under low pressure
• Have valves

12. Capillaries
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• Smallest blood vessels
• Greater number than any other blood vessel
• Extremely thin walls (one cell thick) to allow
diffusion of nutrients and gases into the
tissues
• Blood flows slowly to allow for the exchange
of gases

13. Blood Pressure
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The measure of force the blood applies to the artery walls as
blood flows through them
Measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg)
An optimal blood pressure reading is written as:
120/80mmHg
These two numbers represent the systolic and diastolic blood
pressures.

14. Blood Pressure Classifications
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Category Systolic
(mmHg)
Diastolic
(mmHg)
Low < 100 < 60
Optimal < 120 < 80
Normal < 130 < 85
High normal / Pre-hypertension 130-139 85-89
Stage 1 hypertension 140-159 90-99
Stage 2 hypertension 160-179 100-109
Stage 3 hypertension > 180 > 110

15. Can you now?
• Identify the location of the heart
• Describe the function of the heart
• Describe the structure of the heart
• Describe how blood moves through the four chambers of the
heart
• Describe systemic and pulmonary circulation
• Describe the structure and functions of blood vessels
• Define blood pressure
• Identify blood pressure classifications
Learning outcomes
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16. Anatomy & Physiology
The Circulatory System