Overview of the Human Circulatory System – Why & How it Works
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Nutrients on
Dec 10th, 2009 |
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J Ross asked:
When you take a close look at the circulatory system, it looks like a big ball of wool that a kitten has gotten hold of, and worked it into one big knotted mess. Actually the circulatory system is probably a lot easier to sort out then that wool would be.
Our general knowledge of the heart is, we know if its not working right we may suffer a heart attack. That there are four chambers in the heart, and that there is a whole string of veins and arteries We don’t know a whole lot about these except, that if we cut an artery we could easily bleed to death. Another fact that is fairly common to us, is we know that if we have too much fat in our blood, then cholesterol has something to do with it, and its not good for us. That pretty well sums up our knowledge of the circulatory system. Really when you stop to think about it, that’s a fair amount of knowledge.
If we had just a few more details to our knowledge it may drive many us to think about how it really affects our entire bodies, and that by knowing what it needs, and why it needs certain things, we will be all the more likely to ensure it gets it.
Sometimes to thoroughly understand something it helps to paint a picture. So let me do something similar to that here ,and give you something that is easy to visualize.
Picture a two lane highway. One is going North the other South. At the beginning of the highway going south is a hugh manufacturing plant (the heart). In this plant are four rooms (four chambers of the heart) that each produce a material, for the final product that this company makes(the enriched oxygen filled blood cells). This good product is pumped out into containers (arteries). These containers are now transported away from the plant (heart) down the highway(the blood flow) to various stores along the way(body organs that need the enriched cells.)
Now in the other direction coming down the North highway is containers (veins)coming back toward the plant. These containers are carrying waste materials (blood that needs to be re oxygenated) These are dropped off at the plant (heart) where it will be refurbished(re oxygenated) and then sent out once again in the good containers (arteries).
This process takes place over and over again continuously. This scenerio is only presented this way as a visualization, to simply help you know how the circulatory system works.
If we wanted to, we could continue with this visualization as to what takes place in the four rooms (chambers of the heart) in order to get the good product ready.
Hopefully this has given you a little more understanding of how the system works and the importance of it . For example going back to our visualization, if one item were to break down then it would have a direct affect on all the other steps. This is exactly would happen in our bodies.
Virophages
When you take a close look at the circulatory system, it looks like a big ball of wool that a kitten has gotten hold of, and worked it into one big knotted mess. Actually the circulatory system is probably a lot easier to sort out then that wool would be.
Our general knowledge of the heart is, we know if its not working right we may suffer a heart attack. That there are four chambers in the heart, and that there is a whole string of veins and arteries We don’t know a whole lot about these except, that if we cut an artery we could easily bleed to death. Another fact that is fairly common to us, is we know that if we have too much fat in our blood, then cholesterol has something to do with it, and its not good for us. That pretty well sums up our knowledge of the circulatory system. Really when you stop to think about it, that’s a fair amount of knowledge.
If we had just a few more details to our knowledge it may drive many us to think about how it really affects our entire bodies, and that by knowing what it needs, and why it needs certain things, we will be all the more likely to ensure it gets it.
Sometimes to thoroughly understand something it helps to paint a picture. So let me do something similar to that here ,and give you something that is easy to visualize.
Picture a two lane highway. One is going North the other South. At the beginning of the highway going south is a hugh manufacturing plant (the heart). In this plant are four rooms (four chambers of the heart) that each produce a material, for the final product that this company makes(the enriched oxygen filled blood cells). This good product is pumped out into containers (arteries). These containers are now transported away from the plant (heart) down the highway(the blood flow) to various stores along the way(body organs that need the enriched cells.)
Now in the other direction coming down the North highway is containers (veins)coming back toward the plant. These containers are carrying waste materials (blood that needs to be re oxygenated) These are dropped off at the plant (heart) where it will be refurbished(re oxygenated) and then sent out once again in the good containers (arteries).
This process takes place over and over again continuously. This scenerio is only presented this way as a visualization, to simply help you know how the circulatory system works.
If we wanted to, we could continue with this visualization as to what takes place in the four rooms (chambers of the heart) in order to get the good product ready.
Hopefully this has given you a little more understanding of how the system works and the importance of it . For example going back to our visualization, if one item were to break down then it would have a direct affect on all the other steps. This is exactly would happen in our bodies.
Virophages
Welcome
Posted by
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Virophages on
Oct 19th, 2009 |
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Content will be added within 1 week.
How Does Stress Affect The Circulatory System
Posted by
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Health And Fitness on
Sep 18th, 2009 |
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Adrian Whittle asked:
The circulatory system comprises the heart, lungs, arteries, capillaries and veins.These are some major organs that have a host of responsibilities for keeping the body alive. In terms of the circulation, these organs move oxgenated blood throughout the body and return deoxygenated blood to the heart. Oxgenated blood keeps all the other organs and the body as a whole functioning normally.If the circulation is affected this knocks on to the other organs like the kidneys, liver, brain and others. The circulation, as the name suggests, keeps the body ticking over.
Cardiovascular disease is the general term for diseases of the circulatory system, commonly the heart, arteries and veins.
It is well documented that stress has a substantial affect on the heart. Some of this stress can be good for the heart. Physical exercise, like going to the gym or playing squash, can put the heart under a degree of stress that is, generally agreed, to be beneficial provided the heart is not already suffering from any disease.
The bodys’ way of dealing with a stressful situation is to prepare the body, including the cardiovascular system, to deal with this situation. Adrenaline, norepinephrine, cortisol and cortisone are increased and passed throughout the body via the blood. This gives the body a sudden boost of energy that can be used to fight or flee from the perceived stressful situation. This will cause the heart pressure to go up. In most cases this is necessary but if this stress is prolonged or chronic then the heart is forced to work harder for longer. This can seriously affect the heart. Long term high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks or strokes.
It is also believed that the stress hormones make blood thicker and stickier in preparation for any potential wound or injury. The thicker blood can clot easier and thus stop blood flowing out of the body through the wound. In chronic stress that does not result in a cut or wound this could cause blood clots to form within the bloodstream and impact blood getting to and from the heart which leads to strokes.
Thicker blood also makes the circulation of blood to the extremities of the body harder thus hands and feet could be more susceptible to cuts and bruising and take longer to heal if stress is prolonged.
These are just a few of the areas were stress can impact the circulatory system. Blood keeps all the organs of the body alive thus there is many more illnesses that could be attributed to poor circulation in some way. In most cases the circulatory system is robust and can work effectively in varying extremes. Chronic stress pushes the circulatory system above these tolerances and changes how it operates. This has health consequences unless a strategy is implemented to manage the stress.
Virophages
The circulatory system comprises the heart, lungs, arteries, capillaries and veins.These are some major organs that have a host of responsibilities for keeping the body alive. In terms of the circulation, these organs move oxgenated blood throughout the body and return deoxygenated blood to the heart. Oxgenated blood keeps all the other organs and the body as a whole functioning normally.If the circulation is affected this knocks on to the other organs like the kidneys, liver, brain and others. The circulation, as the name suggests, keeps the body ticking over.
Cardiovascular disease is the general term for diseases of the circulatory system, commonly the heart, arteries and veins.
It is well documented that stress has a substantial affect on the heart. Some of this stress can be good for the heart. Physical exercise, like going to the gym or playing squash, can put the heart under a degree of stress that is, generally agreed, to be beneficial provided the heart is not already suffering from any disease.
The bodys’ way of dealing with a stressful situation is to prepare the body, including the cardiovascular system, to deal with this situation. Adrenaline, norepinephrine, cortisol and cortisone are increased and passed throughout the body via the blood. This gives the body a sudden boost of energy that can be used to fight or flee from the perceived stressful situation. This will cause the heart pressure to go up. In most cases this is necessary but if this stress is prolonged or chronic then the heart is forced to work harder for longer. This can seriously affect the heart. Long term high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks or strokes.
It is also believed that the stress hormones make blood thicker and stickier in preparation for any potential wound or injury. The thicker blood can clot easier and thus stop blood flowing out of the body through the wound. In chronic stress that does not result in a cut or wound this could cause blood clots to form within the bloodstream and impact blood getting to and from the heart which leads to strokes.
Thicker blood also makes the circulation of blood to the extremities of the body harder thus hands and feet could be more susceptible to cuts and bruising and take longer to heal if stress is prolonged.
These are just a few of the areas were stress can impact the circulatory system. Blood keeps all the organs of the body alive thus there is many more illnesses that could be attributed to poor circulation in some way. In most cases the circulatory system is robust and can work effectively in varying extremes. Chronic stress pushes the circulatory system above these tolerances and changes how it operates. This has health consequences unless a strategy is implemented to manage the stress.
Virophages
The Respiratory System: Tracing the Vital Life Sustaining Process
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Health And Fitness on
Sep 5th, 2009 |
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Nilutpal Gogoi asked:
THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Intake of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide are the primary functions of the respiratory system. The respiratory system carries out these life-sustaining acts in close coordination with the circulatory system. Most of the time, we remain blissfully unaware of these automatic functions.
The respiratory organs deliver oxygen to the circulatory system. The circulatory system transports the oxygen to all body cells. Oxygen is used by cells to liberate the energy needed for cellular activities. The respiratory system also removes carbon dioxide. Thus, the circulatory system prevents the buildup of this lethal waste byproduct in the body tissues.
Irreversible damage to tissues can occur if the respiratory system is halted even for a few minutes. This can cause failure of all the other body systems. The consequence is death!
NOSE COMMENCES THE RESPIRATORY PROCESS
The respiratory system begins from the nose. It ends in the lungs. The respiratory system is broadly divided into two parts, viz., the upper and the lower respiratory tracts. The upper respirator tract is made up of the nose and the throat (pharynx). The lower respiratory tract includes five organs. They are the voice box (larynx), and the windpipe (trachea), bronchi, bronchioles and the lungs. The trachea splits into the two branches called bronchi. The bronchi further gets divided into further smaller branches called bronchioles. The lungs are a pair of spongy saclike organs.
The bronchioles, bronchi, trachea, larynx, pharynx and the nose transport air to and from the lungs. It is the lungs that interact with the circulatory system for delivering oxygen and removing carbon dioxide from the lungs.
THE RESPIRATION PROCESS
Respiration is a two-pronged process. It involves the respiratory and the circulatory systems. Respiration connotes the coordinated functioning whereby the cells are delivered oxygen and the lethal carbon dioxide is removed.
The first phase: The nose begins the first phase of respiration. This is done with inhaling or inhalation (breathing in). The process brings in air along with oxygen from outside the body into the lungs. From the lungs, oxygen goes via the blood vessels to the heart. The heart pumps the oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body. The first phase of respiration ends with the oxygen moving into the cells from the bloodstream.
The second phase: The second phase commences after the oxygen gets into the cells. The cells use the oxygen to produce energy. This independent process is called cellular respiration. It produces the byproduct — carbon dioxide. The accumulated carbon dioxide now moves from the cells to the bloodstream. Next, the bloodstream transports the carbon dioxide to the heart. Then, the carbon dioxide-laden blood is pumped back to the lungs.
The third phase: Again the nose comes into picture during this stage. The lungs push the byproduct to the nose from where it is exhaled or breathed out. This is the final or the third stage when the body gets rid of the carbon dioxide. At the end of the third stage or the entire respiratory cycle another one starts automatically.
OTHER FUNCTIONS OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
The respiratory system further regulates the balance of acid and base in tissues. This balancing act is crucial for the normal functioning of cells. It protects the body against disease-causing organisms and toxic substances inhaled with air.
The respiratory system also houses the cells that detect smell.
Moreover, the respiratory system assists in the production of sounds for speech.
THE OLFACTORY NERVE
The brownish olfactory nerve is also called olfactory receptors. The olfactory nerve inside the nose is the main nerve of smell. The olfactory region is made up of thick nasal soft mucous membrane. Its brownish color is because of a pigment. The olfactory nerve ends in minute varicose fibers (several small branches). These fibers ultimately conclude in the epithelial cells. Mentionably, the epithelial cells project into the nasal free surface.
The olfactory nerve is the first to know of any chemicals that may enter the nasal passages. The receptors immediately trigger off a signal to the brain. This creates the smell perception.
THE ESOPHAGUS
Esophagus is a muscular tube. The esophagus carries food from the throat to the stomach. The esophagus and the pharynx situated behind the mouth swallow the food and move it to the stomach. The stomach temporarily stores the food, mixes it with digestive juices, and carries out some digestion. The esophagus also holds the stomach contents in place. Actually, this function is carried out by the lower esophageal sphincter. This sphincter is a muscle. It is located at the lower end of the esophagus.
THE PHARYNX
The pharynx is a passageway for both air and food. The pharynx connects the nose and mouth with the windpipe (trachea) and the food pipe (esophagus). The pharynx is a muscular tube. The pharynx is located within the neck. The pharynx is lined with a mucous membrane. The pharynx is approximately five inches (13 cm) in length. The pharynx lies in the front of the spinal column.
The upper portion of the pharynx is known as nasopharynx. The name arises as it begins in the back of the nasal cavity.. The lower part is oropharynx. It points to that area in the back of the mouth. The pharynx ends at the epiglottis. Epiglottis is a flap of cartilage. Epiglottis prevents food from entering the trachea. However, the epiglottis allows the food to enter the esophagus. Two eustachian tubes connect the pharynx to the middle ear. These eustachian equalizes the eardrums air pressure.
The pharynx can be infected via the mouth as well as the nose. Sore throat involves pharynx infection (pharyngitis) or throat inflammation. Pharyngitis can be due to infectious mononucleosis, herpes, and viral infections. The viral infections are German measles (rubella), influenza, and common cold. It can also be caused by bacteria like staphylococcal, streptococcal, chlamydial, and diphtherial. These bacteria multiply cause sore throat by multiplying rapidly within the pharynx.
Tonsils and Adenoids
Among the adults the pharynx contains the tonsils, while among the children the pharynx contains the adenoids.
Tonsils: Tonsils are lymphoid tissues at the back of the throat. Tonsils form a tissue ring around the pharynx or the throat. Tonsils are cells. Tonsils are similar to the bloodstream lymphocytes. Tonsils are embedded in fibrous connective tissues. Tonsils are covered by a single epithelium layer. The lymphoid cells are phagocytic. The cells protect the pharynx from bacteria that can cause diseases.
Tonsils may become inflamed and chronically or acutely infected. This condition is called tonsillitis. It is generally caused by streptococcus infection. During tonsillitis and streptococcal, the tissues surrounding the tonsils form pus. Then a whitish coat forms over the tonsils which can appear as white specks. This state is called quinsy. When the pharyngeal tonsils become inflamed they become abnormally large. They are called adenoids. Acute cases of tonsillitis are often treated by antibiotics like penicillin. Chronic recurrent tonsillitis may be treated by tonsillectomy (surgical removal of the tonsils).
Adenoids: Adenoids are lymphoid tissue at the back of the throat. Adenoids usually shrink and disappear by adolescence. Enlargement of this tissue is common among children. Such a state can interfere with breathing. Symptoms of enlarged adenoids include restless sleep, snoring, breathing via mouth, and a nasal voice. Earlier, these tissues were removed in children. It was thought that inflamed adenoids led to recurrent colds and infections. Nowadays, this condition is recognized as benign. As a result, there are lesser adenoidectomies.
THE LARYNX
From the pharynx, the inhaled air moves to the larynx. The larynx is about five inches (13 cm) in length. The larynx is located in the central part of the neck. The larynx is made up of several layers of flexible but tough cartilage, a tissue. Mentionably, during puberty the males experience a protrusion of the cartilage. This enlarged prominent extension at the neck is called the Adam’s apple.
FUNCTIONS OF THE LARYNX
The larynx primarily transports air to the wind pipe (trachea). Besides, the larynx also helps in producing the sounds. The epiglottis — a leaflike thin tissue portion of the larynx — further prevents the food from entering the trachea (thus obviating the possibility of choking). Moreover, the cilia cells as well as the mucous membrane of the larynx also filter air. The cilia cells take the airborne substances towards the pharynx where they are swallowed.
The epiglottis: The epiglottis stem is attached to the top and the front portions of the larynx. When the epiglottis remains in a vertical position, it acts like a trap door. This happens during the breathing process. But as a person starts swallowing, a reflexive action forces the epiglottis and the larynx to move near each other toward each other. This coming closer of the epiglottis and the larynx forms a protective seal. As a result, the fluids and food are specifically sent towards the food pipe (esophagus).
When the reflexive action doesn’t work: What happens when the reflexive action doesn’t function is that the food can enter the larynx. This happens when one eats the meal fats or when one laughs while swallowing. The result is that there will be a recurrent cough impelled choking effect. At times this apparently simple choking effect can even be life-threatening. The cough is the body’s reflexive action to clear the larynx of the impediment. Whenever such choking takes place, someone must thump the back portion between the shoulder blades several times. This will help the person to get over the choking effect.
The Heimlich maneuver: The Heimlich maneuver clears the windpipe of obstructions like food or fluid. The first-aid providing person applies thrusts in quick and in upward motion at the patient’s abdomen. The objective is to expel the object stuck at the trachea (windpipe). Standing behind the victim, the person keeps both his arms across the patient’s waist. Then, he places the fist of one hand below the rib cage and a bit above the navel. All the while, he keeps the thumb against the patient’s body. He uses the other hand for holding the fist and for applying pressure. Next, he puts quick pressure on the abdomen. The pressure is put in an inward and an upward motion. This fast recurrent action forces the lung air to get rid of the substance blocking the windpipe.
However, in cases where the patient cannot stand still, is overweight, faints following the choking effect, the Heimlich maneuver is done in a different manner. The patient is made to lie face down. The first-aid provider carries on the process with the heel of a hand.
Important: Nonetheless, it is important that the person does not put undue pressure on the rib cage. This is especially true when the patient is a child or an elderly person. Too much pressure can break ribs. Pertaining to pregnant woman or overweight people, the first-aid provider must place his hands only on the lower half of the breastbone (sternum) while carrying out the maneuver.
In acute choking, tracheotomy (a surgical procedure) is undertaken to carry out bypass of the larynx. This operation brings in air to the trachea.
TRACHEA, BRONCHI, AND BRONCHIOLES
The trachea is another tube measuring approximately six inches (15 cm). The trachea is located below the larynx. From the larynx the air passes on to the trachea. About 20 sturdy C-shaped cartilage rings constitute the trachea. These rings help to keep the trachea open. In the process, air gets transported unhindered. While the unfastened cartilage is located at the trachea’s back portion, their ends are linked to each other by muscle tissues.
Bronchi & bronchioles: The trachea base is situated at the portion where the neck meets the body trunk. At this juncture, the trachea splits into the right and the left bronchi. These bronchi transport air to the right and left lungs respectively. Inside the lungs, these bronchi again break up into smaller tubes — the bronchioles.
In fact, the respiratory system’s cleansing process is carried out by those bronchioles that are situated at the initial part, bronchi, and the trachea. These organs carry out the cleansing process via the mucous membrane linings as well as the ciliated cells. These cilia and the lining push the mucus upward towards the pharynx.
Alveoli & capillaries: Alveoli are minute sacs inside the lungs. Most of the alveoli are lung tissues. Alveoli are formed by the bronchioles as they divide several times. The alveoli along with the bronchioles resemble a tree. The alveoli are only 0.02 inches (0.5 mm) in diameter. There are about 150 million alveoli in each lung. The alveoli carry out a dual function. While providing oxygen to the circulatory system, they also remove carbon dioxide from the lungs. The thin elastic alveoli walls expand when air moves into them. The walls collapse to exhale the air.
The alveoli remain in clusters like the grapes. Each cluster is surrounded by capillaries. The capillaries are thin-walled and form a dense net of tiny hairs. The alveoli wall air is generally located 0.2 microns away from the blood carried by the capillary. Mentionably, the alveoli have more oxygen concentration then the capillaries. So, oxygen disseminates to capillaries from alveoli. Through the capillaries, oxygen goes to the larger vessels. These vessels then transport the oxygenated blood to the heart. Next, the heart pumps the cleaned blood to the other parts of the body.
Macrophages: Among the alveoli are interspersed many macrophages. The macrophages are blood cells. These large white cells act as the last sentinels of the respiratory system among the alveoli. The macrophages segregate the foreign elements which may have passed through the earlier filtration process. This last line of defense ensures that the alveoli are not infected.
Carbon dioxide disposal: The cells from across the body dump Carbon dioxide as a waste product. It is dumped in the bloodstream. The blood carries Carbon dioxide into the heart. From the heart, the Carbon dioxide moves to the alveolar capillaries. Notably, the capillaries have more concentration of carbon dioxide than the alveoli. So, carbon dioxide gets diffused into the alveoli from the capillaries. When a person exhales, the Carbon dioxide is forced back via the respiratory routes. The gas is then thrown outside the body.
Virophages
THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Intake of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide are the primary functions of the respiratory system. The respiratory system carries out these life-sustaining acts in close coordination with the circulatory system. Most of the time, we remain blissfully unaware of these automatic functions.
The respiratory organs deliver oxygen to the circulatory system. The circulatory system transports the oxygen to all body cells. Oxygen is used by cells to liberate the energy needed for cellular activities. The respiratory system also removes carbon dioxide. Thus, the circulatory system prevents the buildup of this lethal waste byproduct in the body tissues.
Irreversible damage to tissues can occur if the respiratory system is halted even for a few minutes. This can cause failure of all the other body systems. The consequence is death!
NOSE COMMENCES THE RESPIRATORY PROCESS
The respiratory system begins from the nose. It ends in the lungs. The respiratory system is broadly divided into two parts, viz., the upper and the lower respiratory tracts. The upper respirator tract is made up of the nose and the throat (pharynx). The lower respiratory tract includes five organs. They are the voice box (larynx), and the windpipe (trachea), bronchi, bronchioles and the lungs. The trachea splits into the two branches called bronchi. The bronchi further gets divided into further smaller branches called bronchioles. The lungs are a pair of spongy saclike organs.
The bronchioles, bronchi, trachea, larynx, pharynx and the nose transport air to and from the lungs. It is the lungs that interact with the circulatory system for delivering oxygen and removing carbon dioxide from the lungs.
THE RESPIRATION PROCESS
Respiration is a two-pronged process. It involves the respiratory and the circulatory systems. Respiration connotes the coordinated functioning whereby the cells are delivered oxygen and the lethal carbon dioxide is removed.
The first phase: The nose begins the first phase of respiration. This is done with inhaling or inhalation (breathing in). The process brings in air along with oxygen from outside the body into the lungs. From the lungs, oxygen goes via the blood vessels to the heart. The heart pumps the oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body. The first phase of respiration ends with the oxygen moving into the cells from the bloodstream.
The second phase: The second phase commences after the oxygen gets into the cells. The cells use the oxygen to produce energy. This independent process is called cellular respiration. It produces the byproduct — carbon dioxide. The accumulated carbon dioxide now moves from the cells to the bloodstream. Next, the bloodstream transports the carbon dioxide to the heart. Then, the carbon dioxide-laden blood is pumped back to the lungs.
The third phase: Again the nose comes into picture during this stage. The lungs push the byproduct to the nose from where it is exhaled or breathed out. This is the final or the third stage when the body gets rid of the carbon dioxide. At the end of the third stage or the entire respiratory cycle another one starts automatically.
OTHER FUNCTIONS OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
The respiratory system further regulates the balance of acid and base in tissues. This balancing act is crucial for the normal functioning of cells. It protects the body against disease-causing organisms and toxic substances inhaled with air.
The respiratory system also houses the cells that detect smell.
Moreover, the respiratory system assists in the production of sounds for speech.
THE OLFACTORY NERVE
The brownish olfactory nerve is also called olfactory receptors. The olfactory nerve inside the nose is the main nerve of smell. The olfactory region is made up of thick nasal soft mucous membrane. Its brownish color is because of a pigment. The olfactory nerve ends in minute varicose fibers (several small branches). These fibers ultimately conclude in the epithelial cells. Mentionably, the epithelial cells project into the nasal free surface.
The olfactory nerve is the first to know of any chemicals that may enter the nasal passages. The receptors immediately trigger off a signal to the brain. This creates the smell perception.
THE ESOPHAGUS
Esophagus is a muscular tube. The esophagus carries food from the throat to the stomach. The esophagus and the pharynx situated behind the mouth swallow the food and move it to the stomach. The stomach temporarily stores the food, mixes it with digestive juices, and carries out some digestion. The esophagus also holds the stomach contents in place. Actually, this function is carried out by the lower esophageal sphincter. This sphincter is a muscle. It is located at the lower end of the esophagus.
THE PHARYNX
The pharynx is a passageway for both air and food. The pharynx connects the nose and mouth with the windpipe (trachea) and the food pipe (esophagus). The pharynx is a muscular tube. The pharynx is located within the neck. The pharynx is lined with a mucous membrane. The pharynx is approximately five inches (13 cm) in length. The pharynx lies in the front of the spinal column.
The upper portion of the pharynx is known as nasopharynx. The name arises as it begins in the back of the nasal cavity.. The lower part is oropharynx. It points to that area in the back of the mouth. The pharynx ends at the epiglottis. Epiglottis is a flap of cartilage. Epiglottis prevents food from entering the trachea. However, the epiglottis allows the food to enter the esophagus. Two eustachian tubes connect the pharynx to the middle ear. These eustachian equalizes the eardrums air pressure.
The pharynx can be infected via the mouth as well as the nose. Sore throat involves pharynx infection (pharyngitis) or throat inflammation. Pharyngitis can be due to infectious mononucleosis, herpes, and viral infections. The viral infections are German measles (rubella), influenza, and common cold. It can also be caused by bacteria like staphylococcal, streptococcal, chlamydial, and diphtherial. These bacteria multiply cause sore throat by multiplying rapidly within the pharynx.
Tonsils and Adenoids
Among the adults the pharynx contains the tonsils, while among the children the pharynx contains the adenoids.
Tonsils: Tonsils are lymphoid tissues at the back of the throat. Tonsils form a tissue ring around the pharynx or the throat. Tonsils are cells. Tonsils are similar to the bloodstream lymphocytes. Tonsils are embedded in fibrous connective tissues. Tonsils are covered by a single epithelium layer. The lymphoid cells are phagocytic. The cells protect the pharynx from bacteria that can cause diseases.
Tonsils may become inflamed and chronically or acutely infected. This condition is called tonsillitis. It is generally caused by streptococcus infection. During tonsillitis and streptococcal, the tissues surrounding the tonsils form pus. Then a whitish coat forms over the tonsils which can appear as white specks. This state is called quinsy. When the pharyngeal tonsils become inflamed they become abnormally large. They are called adenoids. Acute cases of tonsillitis are often treated by antibiotics like penicillin. Chronic recurrent tonsillitis may be treated by tonsillectomy (surgical removal of the tonsils).
Adenoids: Adenoids are lymphoid tissue at the back of the throat. Adenoids usually shrink and disappear by adolescence. Enlargement of this tissue is common among children. Such a state can interfere with breathing. Symptoms of enlarged adenoids include restless sleep, snoring, breathing via mouth, and a nasal voice. Earlier, these tissues were removed in children. It was thought that inflamed adenoids led to recurrent colds and infections. Nowadays, this condition is recognized as benign. As a result, there are lesser adenoidectomies.
THE LARYNX
From the pharynx, the inhaled air moves to the larynx. The larynx is about five inches (13 cm) in length. The larynx is located in the central part of the neck. The larynx is made up of several layers of flexible but tough cartilage, a tissue. Mentionably, during puberty the males experience a protrusion of the cartilage. This enlarged prominent extension at the neck is called the Adam’s apple.
FUNCTIONS OF THE LARYNX
The larynx primarily transports air to the wind pipe (trachea). Besides, the larynx also helps in producing the sounds. The epiglottis — a leaflike thin tissue portion of the larynx — further prevents the food from entering the trachea (thus obviating the possibility of choking). Moreover, the cilia cells as well as the mucous membrane of the larynx also filter air. The cilia cells take the airborne substances towards the pharynx where they are swallowed.
The epiglottis: The epiglottis stem is attached to the top and the front portions of the larynx. When the epiglottis remains in a vertical position, it acts like a trap door. This happens during the breathing process. But as a person starts swallowing, a reflexive action forces the epiglottis and the larynx to move near each other toward each other. This coming closer of the epiglottis and the larynx forms a protective seal. As a result, the fluids and food are specifically sent towards the food pipe (esophagus).
When the reflexive action doesn’t work: What happens when the reflexive action doesn’t function is that the food can enter the larynx. This happens when one eats the meal fats or when one laughs while swallowing. The result is that there will be a recurrent cough impelled choking effect. At times this apparently simple choking effect can even be life-threatening. The cough is the body’s reflexive action to clear the larynx of the impediment. Whenever such choking takes place, someone must thump the back portion between the shoulder blades several times. This will help the person to get over the choking effect.
The Heimlich maneuver: The Heimlich maneuver clears the windpipe of obstructions like food or fluid. The first-aid providing person applies thrusts in quick and in upward motion at the patient’s abdomen. The objective is to expel the object stuck at the trachea (windpipe). Standing behind the victim, the person keeps both his arms across the patient’s waist. Then, he places the fist of one hand below the rib cage and a bit above the navel. All the while, he keeps the thumb against the patient’s body. He uses the other hand for holding the fist and for applying pressure. Next, he puts quick pressure on the abdomen. The pressure is put in an inward and an upward motion. This fast recurrent action forces the lung air to get rid of the substance blocking the windpipe.
However, in cases where the patient cannot stand still, is overweight, faints following the choking effect, the Heimlich maneuver is done in a different manner. The patient is made to lie face down. The first-aid provider carries on the process with the heel of a hand.
Important: Nonetheless, it is important that the person does not put undue pressure on the rib cage. This is especially true when the patient is a child or an elderly person. Too much pressure can break ribs. Pertaining to pregnant woman or overweight people, the first-aid provider must place his hands only on the lower half of the breastbone (sternum) while carrying out the maneuver.
In acute choking, tracheotomy (a surgical procedure) is undertaken to carry out bypass of the larynx. This operation brings in air to the trachea.
TRACHEA, BRONCHI, AND BRONCHIOLES
The trachea is another tube measuring approximately six inches (15 cm). The trachea is located below the larynx. From the larynx the air passes on to the trachea. About 20 sturdy C-shaped cartilage rings constitute the trachea. These rings help to keep the trachea open. In the process, air gets transported unhindered. While the unfastened cartilage is located at the trachea’s back portion, their ends are linked to each other by muscle tissues.
Bronchi & bronchioles: The trachea base is situated at the portion where the neck meets the body trunk. At this juncture, the trachea splits into the right and the left bronchi. These bronchi transport air to the right and left lungs respectively. Inside the lungs, these bronchi again break up into smaller tubes — the bronchioles.
In fact, the respiratory system’s cleansing process is carried out by those bronchioles that are situated at the initial part, bronchi, and the trachea. These organs carry out the cleansing process via the mucous membrane linings as well as the ciliated cells. These cilia and the lining push the mucus upward towards the pharynx.
Alveoli & capillaries: Alveoli are minute sacs inside the lungs. Most of the alveoli are lung tissues. Alveoli are formed by the bronchioles as they divide several times. The alveoli along with the bronchioles resemble a tree. The alveoli are only 0.02 inches (0.5 mm) in diameter. There are about 150 million alveoli in each lung. The alveoli carry out a dual function. While providing oxygen to the circulatory system, they also remove carbon dioxide from the lungs. The thin elastic alveoli walls expand when air moves into them. The walls collapse to exhale the air.
The alveoli remain in clusters like the grapes. Each cluster is surrounded by capillaries. The capillaries are thin-walled and form a dense net of tiny hairs. The alveoli wall air is generally located 0.2 microns away from the blood carried by the capillary. Mentionably, the alveoli have more oxygen concentration then the capillaries. So, oxygen disseminates to capillaries from alveoli. Through the capillaries, oxygen goes to the larger vessels. These vessels then transport the oxygenated blood to the heart. Next, the heart pumps the cleaned blood to the other parts of the body.
Macrophages: Among the alveoli are interspersed many macrophages. The macrophages are blood cells. These large white cells act as the last sentinels of the respiratory system among the alveoli. The macrophages segregate the foreign elements which may have passed through the earlier filtration process. This last line of defense ensures that the alveoli are not infected.
Carbon dioxide disposal: The cells from across the body dump Carbon dioxide as a waste product. It is dumped in the bloodstream. The blood carries Carbon dioxide into the heart. From the heart, the Carbon dioxide moves to the alveolar capillaries. Notably, the capillaries have more concentration of carbon dioxide than the alveoli. So, carbon dioxide gets diffused into the alveoli from the capillaries. When a person exhales, the Carbon dioxide is forced back via the respiratory routes. The gas is then thrown outside the body.
Virophages
Facts About the Human Circulatory System – How Does Your Heart Keep Pumping?
Posted by
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Fun Facts on
Aug 26th, 2009 |
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J Ross asked:
What does the average individual know about the heart? Well we know that without one, or one that is not working properly we would not be able to live. We know that it the pumping system for the maze of blood vessels that run through our body that we know as the circulatory system .Some of us know that the heart has four chambers or compartments, that have to do with blood coming in and blood going out.
We are also aware of the signs that the heart is running into problems. In recent years we have become more aware as to how we can take care of our hearts. So really then why do we need to know anymore, I mean we have medical professionals for that right? Then if this is the case what else do we need to know?
Well we have some knowledge of how to keep our heart healthy and the circulatory system working properly . It would seem to me though, with such an important item as my heart which is my lifeline, I personally want to know everything I can about how it works, so I can provide the best care possible. Yes, we all read health articles and that’s where most of our general knowledge comes from. This is a wonderful source of information, but there is one problem. It is generalized. In other words it applies to everyone, which of course makes sense, everyone has a heart.
My issue is, we’re also told that every living person is unique, no two people are the same. We all believe this, so then I want to know everything about my very own heart. Its mine personally so it needs care that is personal. So what I have said so far makes sense. If I am going to look after something very precious ,then I need to know all I can about that thing in order to give it the best care I can. This not only includes my heart but the entire circulatory system as well.
Then what is there about the heart that I don’t know, that would be useful in my care of my very own heart. Lets start with what its made of , which is muscle tissue. Now some us knew that,while others will say who cares. If you don’t know anything about the basics of muscles, then how do you know what’s good for your heart, being as its one big muscle?
That gets me to thinking. If I knew some more about how to look after my muscle tissue then I would be serving two purposes. That would mean every muscle in my system would benefit. So my own conclusion is, before I go any further with figuring out just what makes my very own personal heart tick, I need to learn more about the muscles. This is the first step, before I even look at the rest of the circulatory system.
I for one, am very much guilty for not taking responsibility for my own heart and circulatory system health. I fear that perhaps I have fallen into the trap of becoming “health lazy”, meaning, that oh well if something’s broke I’ll just run to the Doctor and he’ll fix it. Not only in regards to the circulatory system ,but other areas of my health as well. This type of attitude is partially what has lead us into the Doctor shortage crisis some areas are facing, as well as the multitude of money that is spent on healthcare.
Virophages
What does the average individual know about the heart? Well we know that without one, or one that is not working properly we would not be able to live. We know that it the pumping system for the maze of blood vessels that run through our body that we know as the circulatory system .Some of us know that the heart has four chambers or compartments, that have to do with blood coming in and blood going out.
We are also aware of the signs that the heart is running into problems. In recent years we have become more aware as to how we can take care of our hearts. So really then why do we need to know anymore, I mean we have medical professionals for that right? Then if this is the case what else do we need to know?
Well we have some knowledge of how to keep our heart healthy and the circulatory system working properly . It would seem to me though, with such an important item as my heart which is my lifeline, I personally want to know everything I can about how it works, so I can provide the best care possible. Yes, we all read health articles and that’s where most of our general knowledge comes from. This is a wonderful source of information, but there is one problem. It is generalized. In other words it applies to everyone, which of course makes sense, everyone has a heart.
My issue is, we’re also told that every living person is unique, no two people are the same. We all believe this, so then I want to know everything about my very own heart. Its mine personally so it needs care that is personal. So what I have said so far makes sense. If I am going to look after something very precious ,then I need to know all I can about that thing in order to give it the best care I can. This not only includes my heart but the entire circulatory system as well.
Then what is there about the heart that I don’t know, that would be useful in my care of my very own heart. Lets start with what its made of , which is muscle tissue. Now some us knew that,while others will say who cares. If you don’t know anything about the basics of muscles, then how do you know what’s good for your heart, being as its one big muscle?
That gets me to thinking. If I knew some more about how to look after my muscle tissue then I would be serving two purposes. That would mean every muscle in my system would benefit. So my own conclusion is, before I go any further with figuring out just what makes my very own personal heart tick, I need to learn more about the muscles. This is the first step, before I even look at the rest of the circulatory system.
I for one, am very much guilty for not taking responsibility for my own heart and circulatory system health. I fear that perhaps I have fallen into the trap of becoming “health lazy”, meaning, that oh well if something’s broke I’ll just run to the Doctor and he’ll fix it. Not only in regards to the circulatory system ,but other areas of my health as well. This type of attitude is partially what has lead us into the Doctor shortage crisis some areas are facing, as well as the multitude of money that is spent on healthcare.
Virophages
Miles and Miles of Circulatory Veins, Arteries and Capillaries
Posted by
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Heart Disease on
Jul 17th, 2009 |
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Howard Coffey asked:
Did you know that your body contains miles and miles of circulatory veins, arteries and capillaries that feed nearly every one of your 50 trillion cells? It’s an amazingly complicated system that runs almost on auto pilot 24/7. However, as you begin to age, the diet you have eaten all your life begins to destroy some of it causing chronic health problems.
You might want to learn how those miles and miles of circulatory veins, capillaries and arteries begin to break down. You may need to learn how they remain healthy, too. Actually, the first sign you could have of a problem in your circulatory system could be your first heart attack. Chronic health disease is one of the leading killers in America. The rate of chronic health disease is growing year by year. The reason! Your lifestyle and especially the diet you eat.
So your circulatory system didn’t begin to break down over night. You have clogged it up with the processed foods, the Trans fats, the sugary treats and fast foods. Obesity is up even among the younger folks. The stress at work hasn’t helped either. You have been destroying it for years; therefore, it is going to take some time to get it back to a healthy state. What’s so amazing is that heart attack and stroke are avoidable.
You have some 50,000 miles of smaller arteries and capillaries that feed those trillions of cells. Every cell in your body is within 1/500th of an inch from a capillary-incredible! The little veins and capillaries carry nutrients, oxygen and toxin release. This is called the microcirculatory system.
As you get older, microscopic vessels leak, break and are blocked. Since these veins are feeder veins, organ cells receive less nutrients in the form of proteins, essential amino acids, antioxidants, oxygen and release less toxins. Cell walls harden which keeps foods out compounding the problems. When microcirculation fails, then organs fail. Now you begin to see the importance of your miles and miles of circulation.
Look at a few of the symptoms of circulatory problems: bruising in the elderly, Alzheimer’s, cold hands, Atherosclerosis, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, fluid retention and many, many others. To begin to reverse some of your circulation problems, numerous products exist. Consult a good product specialist or check them out online.
Your veins, arteries, and capillaries make up many miles and miles of your circulatory system. Begin to repair it today. Your overall good health could very well depend on it. Exercise is great, too. Remember before you begin an exercise program or take any kinds of medicines or supplements, consult your physician. As always, eat healthy my friends.
Virophages
Did you know that your body contains miles and miles of circulatory veins, arteries and capillaries that feed nearly every one of your 50 trillion cells? It’s an amazingly complicated system that runs almost on auto pilot 24/7. However, as you begin to age, the diet you have eaten all your life begins to destroy some of it causing chronic health problems.
You might want to learn how those miles and miles of circulatory veins, capillaries and arteries begin to break down. You may need to learn how they remain healthy, too. Actually, the first sign you could have of a problem in your circulatory system could be your first heart attack. Chronic health disease is one of the leading killers in America. The rate of chronic health disease is growing year by year. The reason! Your lifestyle and especially the diet you eat.
So your circulatory system didn’t begin to break down over night. You have clogged it up with the processed foods, the Trans fats, the sugary treats and fast foods. Obesity is up even among the younger folks. The stress at work hasn’t helped either. You have been destroying it for years; therefore, it is going to take some time to get it back to a healthy state. What’s so amazing is that heart attack and stroke are avoidable.
You have some 50,000 miles of smaller arteries and capillaries that feed those trillions of cells. Every cell in your body is within 1/500th of an inch from a capillary-incredible! The little veins and capillaries carry nutrients, oxygen and toxin release. This is called the microcirculatory system.
As you get older, microscopic vessels leak, break and are blocked. Since these veins are feeder veins, organ cells receive less nutrients in the form of proteins, essential amino acids, antioxidants, oxygen and release less toxins. Cell walls harden which keeps foods out compounding the problems. When microcirculation fails, then organs fail. Now you begin to see the importance of your miles and miles of circulation.
Look at a few of the symptoms of circulatory problems: bruising in the elderly, Alzheimer’s, cold hands, Atherosclerosis, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, fluid retention and many, many others. To begin to reverse some of your circulation problems, numerous products exist. Consult a good product specialist or check them out online.
Your veins, arteries, and capillaries make up many miles and miles of your circulatory system. Begin to repair it today. Your overall good health could very well depend on it. Exercise is great, too. Remember before you begin an exercise program or take any kinds of medicines or supplements, consult your physician. As always, eat healthy my friends.
Virophages
Understanding The Symptoms Of Poor Blood Circulation
Posted by
admin in
Health And Fitness on
Jul 2nd, 2009 |
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R. Sharp asked:
Circulatory problems do not begin in a day. In other words, you could call the heart a very patient organ, which can take years of abuse and when it can not take it any more, breaks out in to early symptoms.
At the outset, we need to remember that poor circulation is an outcome of certain lifestyle choices which we make which are detrimental to our health. Coupled with these are factors like imbalanced diet and lack of physical exercise. All these factors lead to fatty deposits on the arterial walls, which when hardened are called plaques. These plaques then block or create obstructions to the smooth passage of blood to and from the heart.
Plaques take a long time to be formed; that is the reason, we find circulatory problems affecting the elderly more often than they affect children. Our food habits also add to an unhealthy build up of cholesterol which may increase the viscosity of the blood, which again creates anomaly in the smooth flow through arteries and veins.
Since the circulatory system covers our entire body, the problems can also be manifested in numerous ways. For instance,
Brain – Our brain receives 20% of the blood circulated in our body. With a drop in the flow, our brain functions sub-optimally, resulting in feeling lethargic, loss of memory, lack of mental clarity, etc. Frequent unexplained headaches and sudden attacks of dizziness are also seen as symptoms of poor blood circulation to the brain.
Heart – When poor blood circulation affects the heart, the symptoms would be chest pain, high blood pressure and rise in the level of cholesterol. Difficulty in performing any common task like climbing stairs, walking a stretch could make you very tired and breathless.
Liver. When you suffer from lack of appetite or experience sudden weight loss and your skin looks luster-less, it is quite possible that your liver is getting ’sluggish’ and these are the early symptoms of poor blood circulation to the liver.
Kidneys – This organ plays an important role in regulating and monitoring our blood pressure other than eliminating the waste and excess water from our bodies. When poor blood circulation affects the kidneys, we notice swelling of hands, feet and ankles, rise in blood pressure, altered heart rate and we feel tired all the time.
Limbs – Poor blood circulation can have serious impact on our arms and legs. We can experience sudden numbness of our hands, feet and fingers or suffer painful leg cramps. Symptoms of serious blood circulation problems can be varicose veins or a condition called cyanosis – which is when part of our skin turns blue or black due to lack of adequate oxygen to the concerned tissues.
Sex drive – Poor blood circulation can affect our reproductive organs as well. The symptoms are lack of sex drive and fatigue. Symptoms would also include lack of vitality also. Serious blood circulation problems could make one impotent also.
Virophages
Circulatory problems do not begin in a day. In other words, you could call the heart a very patient organ, which can take years of abuse and when it can not take it any more, breaks out in to early symptoms.
At the outset, we need to remember that poor circulation is an outcome of certain lifestyle choices which we make which are detrimental to our health. Coupled with these are factors like imbalanced diet and lack of physical exercise. All these factors lead to fatty deposits on the arterial walls, which when hardened are called plaques. These plaques then block or create obstructions to the smooth passage of blood to and from the heart.
Plaques take a long time to be formed; that is the reason, we find circulatory problems affecting the elderly more often than they affect children. Our food habits also add to an unhealthy build up of cholesterol which may increase the viscosity of the blood, which again creates anomaly in the smooth flow through arteries and veins.
Since the circulatory system covers our entire body, the problems can also be manifested in numerous ways. For instance,
Brain – Our brain receives 20% of the blood circulated in our body. With a drop in the flow, our brain functions sub-optimally, resulting in feeling lethargic, loss of memory, lack of mental clarity, etc. Frequent unexplained headaches and sudden attacks of dizziness are also seen as symptoms of poor blood circulation to the brain.
Heart – When poor blood circulation affects the heart, the symptoms would be chest pain, high blood pressure and rise in the level of cholesterol. Difficulty in performing any common task like climbing stairs, walking a stretch could make you very tired and breathless.
Liver. When you suffer from lack of appetite or experience sudden weight loss and your skin looks luster-less, it is quite possible that your liver is getting ’sluggish’ and these are the early symptoms of poor blood circulation to the liver.
Kidneys – This organ plays an important role in regulating and monitoring our blood pressure other than eliminating the waste and excess water from our bodies. When poor blood circulation affects the kidneys, we notice swelling of hands, feet and ankles, rise in blood pressure, altered heart rate and we feel tired all the time.
Limbs – Poor blood circulation can have serious impact on our arms and legs. We can experience sudden numbness of our hands, feet and fingers or suffer painful leg cramps. Symptoms of serious blood circulation problems can be varicose veins or a condition called cyanosis – which is when part of our skin turns blue or black due to lack of adequate oxygen to the concerned tissues.
Sex drive – Poor blood circulation can affect our reproductive organs as well. The symptoms are lack of sex drive and fatigue. Symptoms would also include lack of vitality also. Serious blood circulation problems could make one impotent also.
Virophages
Circulatory System – Fun Facts for Women
Posted by
admin in
Heart Disease on
Jun 4th, 2009 |
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Elizabeth Dean asked:
When I was in school, I hated science and remember thinking that the circulatory system was the most boring topic ever invented. The boys in the class liked the blood and guts aspect of it, but I was never intrigued by any of it. It was only when I started helping my kid with his homework that I found the subject interesting. Turns out, the circulatory system is fairly awesome, as long as it is taught correctly. Fortunately, my son has a better teacher than I did. The way she teaches internal anatomy is engaging and fun, basically the complete opposite of how I was taught!
The circulatory system is one of the most important systems in your body. At the center of your circulatory system is the heart. From there, blood vessels carry blood through your entire body. The blood carries the oxygen and nutrients to every place in your body. Then on its way back it picks up all of the waste that is left over so your body can get rid of it. The branches of blood vessels are both small and large, and if you were to string them all together end to end, they would circle the globe 2.5 times. See, I told you the circulatory system was cool!
There are plenty of other fun facts related to the circulatory system. For example, over the course of a year your heart will beat around 30 million times. Even cooler, if you’re an adult your heart will pump around 4,000 gallons of blood every day. If you’re a three year old, you only have two pints of blood in your entire body. If you’re an average sized adult, on the other hand, you’ve got at least 10 pints of blood to carry around. There’s so much to learn about the circulatory system, it’s really a fascinating section of your body.
Virophages
When I was in school, I hated science and remember thinking that the circulatory system was the most boring topic ever invented. The boys in the class liked the blood and guts aspect of it, but I was never intrigued by any of it. It was only when I started helping my kid with his homework that I found the subject interesting. Turns out, the circulatory system is fairly awesome, as long as it is taught correctly. Fortunately, my son has a better teacher than I did. The way she teaches internal anatomy is engaging and fun, basically the complete opposite of how I was taught!
The circulatory system is one of the most important systems in your body. At the center of your circulatory system is the heart. From there, blood vessels carry blood through your entire body. The blood carries the oxygen and nutrients to every place in your body. Then on its way back it picks up all of the waste that is left over so your body can get rid of it. The branches of blood vessels are both small and large, and if you were to string them all together end to end, they would circle the globe 2.5 times. See, I told you the circulatory system was cool!
There are plenty of other fun facts related to the circulatory system. For example, over the course of a year your heart will beat around 30 million times. Even cooler, if you’re an adult your heart will pump around 4,000 gallons of blood every day. If you’re a three year old, you only have two pints of blood in your entire body. If you’re an average sized adult, on the other hand, you’ve got at least 10 pints of blood to carry around. There’s so much to learn about the circulatory system, it’s really a fascinating section of your body.
Virophages
The Circulatory System and Yoga
Posted by
admin in
Yoga on
May 31st, 2009 |
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Robin Brain asked:
Also known as the cardio-vascular system this consists of the heart (which pumps the blood to various body parts), and the blood vessels (which carry the blood from the heart and back to it again). The heart is a very vital organ which works incessantly from birth till death. It is divided into four compartments. The upper right compartment receives impure blood from all over the body, and sends it to the lower right one, from where it is sent for purification in the lungs. The purified blood from the lungs goes to the upper left compartment of the heart, and thence to the lower left one, from where it is pumped all over the body, through the arteries. The arteries are thickwalled tube-like structures which carry blood from the heart to various body-parts, through their branches and minute sub-branches. These minute sub-branches divide further into capillaries which are very thin-walled. The capillaries ramify into various muscles, organs, and tissues. Due to the thinness of their walls, the capillaries allow the nutrients and oxygen in the blood to come out of them, and be supplied to the tissues. In return, the carbon dioxide and other waste materials from the tissues diffuse into the capillaries. Minute sub-branches of veins start from where the capillaries end, and blood (with the waste materials in it) proceeds through the veins, and is ultimately returned to the heart. The veins are thin-walled. They have to raise the blood from the lower extremities, pelvic region. trunk, and abdomen against the force of gravity. This is achieved with the help of valves situated in the veins.
The blood contains nearly 90% water, in which three kinds of bodies keep floating. These are: the red blood corpuscles, the white blood cells, and the blood platelets. The R.B.C.s contain a scarlet coloured substance called “haemoglobin”, which is the carrier of oxygen. The W.B.C.s constitute the defence force in the body. They fight any foreign cells such as bacteria and other micro-organisms which, if allowed to infest the body, can cause many diseases. The blood platelets are supposed to play an important role in the coagulation of blood, when it comes out of the blood vessels due to cuts and wounds. The circulatory system is thus responsible for carrying out three main functions in the body, namely, supplying nutrients to various parts and collecting waste materials from them, maintaining the body temperature at the normal level, and supplying oxygen to every part and collecting carbon dioxide. In this last function it works in co-operation with the respiratory system.
Virophages
Also known as the cardio-vascular system this consists of the heart (which pumps the blood to various body parts), and the blood vessels (which carry the blood from the heart and back to it again). The heart is a very vital organ which works incessantly from birth till death. It is divided into four compartments. The upper right compartment receives impure blood from all over the body, and sends it to the lower right one, from where it is sent for purification in the lungs. The purified blood from the lungs goes to the upper left compartment of the heart, and thence to the lower left one, from where it is pumped all over the body, through the arteries. The arteries are thickwalled tube-like structures which carry blood from the heart to various body-parts, through their branches and minute sub-branches. These minute sub-branches divide further into capillaries which are very thin-walled. The capillaries ramify into various muscles, organs, and tissues. Due to the thinness of their walls, the capillaries allow the nutrients and oxygen in the blood to come out of them, and be supplied to the tissues. In return, the carbon dioxide and other waste materials from the tissues diffuse into the capillaries. Minute sub-branches of veins start from where the capillaries end, and blood (with the waste materials in it) proceeds through the veins, and is ultimately returned to the heart. The veins are thin-walled. They have to raise the blood from the lower extremities, pelvic region. trunk, and abdomen against the force of gravity. This is achieved with the help of valves situated in the veins.
The blood contains nearly 90% water, in which three kinds of bodies keep floating. These are: the red blood corpuscles, the white blood cells, and the blood platelets. The R.B.C.s contain a scarlet coloured substance called “haemoglobin”, which is the carrier of oxygen. The W.B.C.s constitute the defence force in the body. They fight any foreign cells such as bacteria and other micro-organisms which, if allowed to infest the body, can cause many diseases. The blood platelets are supposed to play an important role in the coagulation of blood, when it comes out of the blood vessels due to cuts and wounds. The circulatory system is thus responsible for carrying out three main functions in the body, namely, supplying nutrients to various parts and collecting waste materials from them, maintaining the body temperature at the normal level, and supplying oxygen to every part and collecting carbon dioxide. In this last function it works in co-operation with the respiratory system.
Virophages
What Are the Harmful Health Effects of Smoking?
Posted by
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Quit Smoking on
May 27th, 2009 |
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Steve Faber asked:
Just what are the harmful health effects of smoking and more importantly, can you reverse them? If you’ve been a smoker for years, or even decades, you’re probably concerned, and rightfully so, about the adverse effects of smoking on your health. When you started smoking, you probably weren’t planning on it being so hard to quit, or thought you’d only smoke once in a while.
Now that you know the truth, it’s just too hard to quit your smoking habit. So, what is it doing to your body? When you take a deep drag and feel that luscious smoke filter its way onto every crevice of your lungs, what is it doing to you? Here’s the skinny on smoke and your health.
Many people don’t know this, but smoking is actually just as bad for your cardio-vascular system as it is for your lungs. Everyone thinks that you’ll die of lung cancer or emphysema if you smoke, and you may well do that, but it’s your heart and circulatory system that feel the effects of smoking the quickest.
As soon as you take a puff, the nicotine and other chemicals (4,000 of them) go to work, speeding up your heart and increasing your blood pressure. It even causes your blood vessels that surround the heart to become stickier, making you a prime candidate for a heart attack.
Stroke is another real risk from smoking cigarettes. According to the Center for Disease Control, It severely reduces blood flow to your extremities. In fact, smokers are at risk have limbs amputated due to the circulation problems it created by their smoking!
The poisons in cigarette smoke cause fat to accumulate in your blood vessels, resulting in hardening of the arteries, also known as atherosclerosis. The arteries become inflamed and the result can be heart attack or stroke. According to the Surgeon General’s report, smoking even contributes to the 43,000 deaths each year from congestive heart failure. This is a condition where the heart just can’t pump enough blood to supply bodily tissues. If it sounds horrible, it is.
What about cancer? Lung cancer causes more cancer deaths that any other cancer, and guess what the CDC thinks is responsible for 90% of all lung cancer deaths? If you guessed cigarettes you’re on the right track. In 2004 157,000 people died from this killer, so a little math reveals that over 140,000 lung cancer fatalities were caused by cigarettes. Even John Wayne, a chronic, 2+ pack a day smoker, died from lung cancer.
Here are what the U.S. Surgeon reports as the worst health problems caused by cigarettes in the United States:
Lung Cancer – 123,000 annual smoking related deaths
Chronic Lung Disease – 91,000 annual smoking related deaths
Coronary Heart Disease – 87,000 annual smoking related deaths
Cancer (not lung cancer) – 35,000 annual smoking related deaths
Stroke – 17,000 annual smoking related deaths
Other Causes – 85,000 annual smoking related deaths
It is easily demonstrated that smoking is a health hazard and a killer. It affects the heart, circulatory system, lungs, brain, and causes cancers in many areas of the body. The good news for smokers is that in as few as 2 weeks some of smoking’s ill health effects have begun to dissipate, and after 15 years the mortality rate of smokers and ex-smoker is virtually identical. This means if you’re a smoker, it’s never too late to quit.
Virophages
Just what are the harmful health effects of smoking and more importantly, can you reverse them? If you’ve been a smoker for years, or even decades, you’re probably concerned, and rightfully so, about the adverse effects of smoking on your health. When you started smoking, you probably weren’t planning on it being so hard to quit, or thought you’d only smoke once in a while.
Now that you know the truth, it’s just too hard to quit your smoking habit. So, what is it doing to your body? When you take a deep drag and feel that luscious smoke filter its way onto every crevice of your lungs, what is it doing to you? Here’s the skinny on smoke and your health.
Many people don’t know this, but smoking is actually just as bad for your cardio-vascular system as it is for your lungs. Everyone thinks that you’ll die of lung cancer or emphysema if you smoke, and you may well do that, but it’s your heart and circulatory system that feel the effects of smoking the quickest.
As soon as you take a puff, the nicotine and other chemicals (4,000 of them) go to work, speeding up your heart and increasing your blood pressure. It even causes your blood vessels that surround the heart to become stickier, making you a prime candidate for a heart attack.
Stroke is another real risk from smoking cigarettes. According to the Center for Disease Control, It severely reduces blood flow to your extremities. In fact, smokers are at risk have limbs amputated due to the circulation problems it created by their smoking!
The poisons in cigarette smoke cause fat to accumulate in your blood vessels, resulting in hardening of the arteries, also known as atherosclerosis. The arteries become inflamed and the result can be heart attack or stroke. According to the Surgeon General’s report, smoking even contributes to the 43,000 deaths each year from congestive heart failure. This is a condition where the heart just can’t pump enough blood to supply bodily tissues. If it sounds horrible, it is.
What about cancer? Lung cancer causes more cancer deaths that any other cancer, and guess what the CDC thinks is responsible for 90% of all lung cancer deaths? If you guessed cigarettes you’re on the right track. In 2004 157,000 people died from this killer, so a little math reveals that over 140,000 lung cancer fatalities were caused by cigarettes. Even John Wayne, a chronic, 2+ pack a day smoker, died from lung cancer.
Here are what the U.S. Surgeon reports as the worst health problems caused by cigarettes in the United States:
Lung Cancer – 123,000 annual smoking related deaths
Chronic Lung Disease – 91,000 annual smoking related deaths
Coronary Heart Disease – 87,000 annual smoking related deaths
Cancer (not lung cancer) – 35,000 annual smoking related deaths
Stroke – 17,000 annual smoking related deaths
Other Causes – 85,000 annual smoking related deaths
It is easily demonstrated that smoking is a health hazard and a killer. It affects the heart, circulatory system, lungs, brain, and causes cancers in many areas of the body. The good news for smokers is that in as few as 2 weeks some of smoking’s ill health effects have begun to dissipate, and after 15 years the mortality rate of smokers and ex-smoker is virtually identical. This means if you’re a smoker, it’s never too late to quit.
Virophages