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The circulatory system is an organ system in vertebrates that circulates blood throughout the body. It consists of three main parts: the heart, blood vessels, and blood. Together, these form the cardiovascular (or vascular) system, which transports materials needed for life and helps maintain internal balance (homeostasis). In vertebrates, the system is “closed,” meaning blood remains within blood vessels rather than leaving the vascular network. The circulatory system is divided into two major circuits: pulmonary circulation and systemic circulation. Pulmonary circulation moves deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation, then returns oxygen-rich blood to the left side of the heart. Systemic circulation delivers oxygenated blood from the left heart to the rest of the body and returns deoxygenated blood to the right heart via large veins (the venae cavae). Blood vessels include arteries, capillaries, and veins, with special vessel routes such as portal veins (e.g., hepatic portal vein) and additional regional circulations like coronary (heart), cerebral (brain), and renal (kidneys). In vertebrates, the lymphatic system complements the circulatory system by returning excess fluid from tissues back to the blood and supporting immune defense.
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