| circulatory system n. The bodily system consisting of the heart, blood vessels, and blood that circulates blood throughout the body, delivers nutrients and other essential materials to cells, and removes waste products. Also called cardiovascular system. |
circulatory system
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) Anatomy Zoology the system concerned with the transport of blood and lymph, consisting of the heart, blood vessels, lymph vessels, etc.
circulatory system (sûr ky -l-tôr  ) The system that circulates blood through the body, consisting of the heart and blood vessels. In all vertebrates and certain invertebrates, the circulatory system is completely contained within a network of vessels (known as a closed circulatory system). In arthropods and many other invertebrates, a substance analogous to blood (known as hemolymph) is pumped through vessels that open into the intercellular spaces (in what is known as an open circulatory system). In vertebrates, the lymphatic system is also considered part of the circulatory system. |   Anterior view of circulatory system with veins shown in black and arteries shown in white. A. jugular vein, B. superior vena cava, C. right pulmonary artery (to lung), D. right pulmonary vein (from lung), E. inferior vena cava, F. blood vessels in liver, G. blood vessels in kidney, H. vein, I. facial veins, J. carotid artery, K. aorta, L. left pulmonary artery (to lung), M. left pulmonary vein (from lung), N. heart, O. spleen, P. blood vessels feeding intestines, Q. artery |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  circulatory system - the organs and tissues involved in circulating blood and lymph through the bodybody, organic structure, physical structure - the entire structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being); "he felt as if his whole body were on fire" liver - large and complicated reddish-brown glandular organ located in the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity; secretes bile and functions in metabolism of protein and carbohydrate and fat; synthesizes substances involved in the clotting of the blood; synthesizes vitamin A; detoxifies poisonous substances and breaks down worn-out erythrocytes ticker, heart, pump - the hollow muscular organ located behind the sternum and between the lungs; its rhythmic contractions move the blood through the body; "he stood still, his heart thumping wildly" blood stream, bloodstream - the blood flowing through the circulatory system lymph - a thin coagulable fluid (similar to plasma but) containing white blood cells (lymphocytes) and chyle; is conveyed to the blood stream by lymphatic vessels blood vessel - a vessel in which blood circulates vein, vena, venous blood vessel - a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart; "all veins except the pulmonary vein carry unaerated blood" venous blood system, venation - (zoology) the system of venous blood vessels in an animal vascular system - the vessels and tissue that carry or circulate fluids such as blood or lymph or sap through the body of an animal or plant fetal circulation, foetal circulation - the system of blood vessels and structures through which blood moves in a fetus |
Translations
circulatory system n (Med) → apparato circolatorio
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