The Circulatory System: Your Body's Transport Network
Ever wondered how oxygen gets from your lungs to your toes? Your circulatory system (also called the cardiovascular system) does this job 24/7 without you even thinking about it.
The system has five main parts working together: your heart, blood vessels, blood, arteries, and veins. The heart acts like a powerful pump, whilst blood vessels are the motorways that carry blood to every single cell in your body.
Here's the brilliant bit - it's actually two circulation systems in one! Pulmonary circulation sends blood from your heart to your lungs to collect oxygen. Systemic circulation then delivers that oxygen-rich blood to the rest of your body through arteries, before veins bring the used blood back to start the whole process again.
Key Point: Your circulatory system doesn't just deliver good stuff - it's also your body's waste removal service, collecting carbon dioxide and other chemical rubbish to dispose of safely.