Cardiovascular System Circuitry
Start with the big picture
The pulmonary and systemic circuits are connected in series, so cardiac output passes through both in turn. Within the systemic circuit, organ vascular beds are arranged in parallel, allowing blood flow to be regulated independently. Circuit behavior also depends on how resistance and pressure gradients shape flow, how blood volume is distributed across vessels, and how venous compliance supports blood storage and return to the heart. Arterioles are key resistance vessels, while capillary flow and exchange reflect vascular structure and local regulation. The full topic also places these principles in context with portal systems, specialized circulations, lymphatic pathways, and broader hemodynamic relationships.
What you'll learn
- Distinguish the series arrangement of pulmonary and systemic circuits from parallel systemic vascular beds.
- Explain how vascular resistance and pressure gradients relate to blood flow.
- Describe the roles of venous compliance and mean systemic filling pressure in venous return.
- Relate capillary flow, exchange, and local regulation to vascular structure.
- Identify portal systems and specialized circulations within the broader cardiovascular network.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
