A simplified diagram of the human
circulatory system (
anterior view), the
organ system that passes nutrients, gases,
hormones,
blood cells, etc. to and from
cells in the body to help fight diseases and help stabilize
body temperature and
pH to maintain
homeostasis. This system may be seen strictly as a blood distribution network, but some consider the circulatory system as composed of the cardiovascular system, which distributes blood, and the lymphatic system, which distributes
lymph. In this diagram, red indicates
blood vessels that carry
oxygenated blood, while blue indicates those that carry deoxygenated blood.
Image: Mariana Ruiz Villarreal