What is the Difference Between Cardiovascular and Circulatory System?

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The cardiovascular and circulatory systems are closely related and share similar functions, but they are not the same. The main differences between them are:

  1. Components: The cardiovascular system consists only of blood, while the circulatory system consists of both blood and lymph.
  2. System Type: The cardiovascular system is a closed system, meaning that the blood flows in a continuous loop, staying within the blood vessels. In contrast, the lymphatic system, which is part of the circulatory system, is an open system.
  3. Function: The cardiovascular system provides oxygen and nutrients to the cells and removes carbon dioxide and metabolic wastes. The circulatory system, on the other hand, plays a defensive role and functions within the cardiovascular system.

Both systems work together to circulate oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to the body's cells for energy, growth, and repair, while also removing waste products like carbon dioxide. The circulatory system is made up of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, and it maintains blood flow to all the cells in the body. The cardiovascular system, also known as the vascular system, is responsible for pumping blood from the heart to the lungs to get oxygen, and then sending oxygenated blood through arteries to the rest of the body.

Comparative Table: Cardiovascular vs Circulatory System

The cardiovascular and circulatory systems are closely related but have distinct functions. Here is a comparison of the two systems:

Feature Cardiovascular System Circulatory System
Definition The cardiovascular system circulates blood with the help of blood vessels and the heart, carrying oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to cells, and removing waste products. The circulatory system is made up of blood vessels that carry blood away from and towards the heart, including arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Components The cardiovascular system includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood. The circulatory system includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood, and its main function is to provide oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to muscles, tissues, and organs throughout the body.
Types of Circulation The cardiovascular system has two types of circulation: systemic and pulmonary. The systemic circulation delivers oxygenated blood to the body and brings back deoxygenated blood, while the pulmonary circulation takes deoxygenated blood to the lungs to be oxygenated and then supplies it to the left atrium. The circulatory system has three circuits: pulmonary circulation, systemic circulation, and coronary circulation.

Both the cardiovascular and circulatory systems work together to ensure that blood is continuously circulated throughout the body, providing oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to cells, and removing waste products.