The Circulatory System

The Circulatory System is manifested by the Astral Body in the physical body. The Circulatory System is the energy pathway of fluids in the body. The circulatory system is made up of the Cardiovascular system and the Lymphatic System.

The Cardiovascular System 

  • The arteries- carry nutrient- rich, oxygenated blood from the heart to capillaries which nourish the tissues in all parts of the body. Venules take blood from the capillaries to the veins.
  • The veins carry the blood on its return journey to the heart.
  • The kidneys filter the blood and eliminate waste products into the urine which goes to the urinary bladder where it is stored and then expelled through the urethra. The kidneys regulate the plasma volume in the blood, the concentration of waste products in the bloodstream,  the pH of the blood and the levels of electrolytes, (acids, bases and salts), in the blood. One function of electrolytes is that they carry electrical current in the body. The kidneys return water, electrolytes, glucose and other vital substances to the blood in correct proportions to keep the blood stable.
  • The blood  transports oxygen from the lungs, nutrients from the digestive system and hormones from the endocrine system to all the cells and tissues in the body. The blood carries carbon dioxide from the cell tissues back to the lungs for expulsion. The blood also carries waste products from the cells and tissues to the excretory organs. Blood helps regulates pH balance, interstitial fluid balance (fluid in between cells) as well as maintain body temperature. The blood also contains a clotting mechanism as well as immune system components. Blood is made up of three kinds of cells which are suspended in a fluid called plasma.
  • Red blood cells or erythrocytes transport oxygen and carbon dioxide and are formed in the bone marrow.
  • White blood cells or leukocytes destroy dead cells, produce antibodies that fight viruses, detoxify foreign materials, and eat bacteria. They are produced in the bone marrow, the thymus, the lymph nodes, various other parts of the lymph system, the spleen and tonsils.
  • Platelets are cells that cause clotting of the blood when a blood vessel has been damaged or cut and blood is escaping.
  • Plasma makes up a little over half of the blood. Plasma is about ninety percent water. It contain thousands of substances such as vitamins, minerals, glucose, electrolytes, hormones, antibodies and waste products. Because of plasma, blood and the materials it carries flows freely to all parts of the body.
  • The Heart - is the pump of the cardiovascular system. Electrical impulses stimulate the pumping of the heart. The heart pumps the nutrient rich, oxygen- depleted blood to the lungs where it releases carbon dioxide and picks up oxygen and  returns to the heart. From the heart it is then pumped in two directions, upward and downward. The upward route goes to the upper chest, arms, neck, head and brain and then returns to the heart through the venus system. The downward route goes to the liver, spleen, stomach, kidneys, small intestines the pelvic area and the legs. All the blood that goes to the spleen, stomach, small intestines, and large intestines then goes to the liver through the portal vein. All the nutrients obtained from the digestive system are carried in the blood to the liver for final processing before the blood returns to the heart through the venus system. The blood going to the kidneys is filtered by the kidneys and returned through the venus system to the heart. The rest of the blood going to the lower body and legs returns to the heart via the venus system.
  • The pericardium is a fluid filled sack around the heart reduces friction and keeps the heart from rubbing against the chest wall. 

The Lymphatic System

The Lymphatic System has two main functions: the balance of body fluid and immunity.  As blood flows through the capillaries, dissolved materials and fluid seep through the capillary walls into the intercellular space of the tissues. Most of the fluid is returned to the capillaries but some remains in the intercellular space. When this fluid enters the lymphatic capillaries it is then called lymph.

The lymph travels in a one way direction through the lymphatic capillaries then through the lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes. The lymphatic vessels that drain the right arm , the right side of the head, neck, thorax, lung, heart and liver flow into the right lymphatic duct. The right lymphatic duct drains into the bloodstream through the right subclavian vein where it joins the right jugular vein.

The rest of the lymph from left arm, left side of the head, neck, thorax, lung, heart and the entire lower part of the body including the legs drain into the thoracic duct. The thoracic duct drains into the bloodstream through the left subclavian vein where it joins the left jugular vein. 
The processed lymph that enters the bloodstream through the right and left subclavian veins then flows into the superior vena cava which goes to the right atrium of the heart.

The lymphatic system has no pump to move the lymph through the system. The movement of lymph is promoted by many factors. The constant pressure exerted by new fluid that is continually entering the intercellular space, the pressure from expansion and contraction of nearby arteries, pressure from the expansion and contraction of the lungs and the very important pressure from the expansion and contraction of muscles during exercise all work together to move the lymph through the lymphatic system.

Lymph comes from blood plasma, but it is clearer and more watery. Lymph contains many substances such as fats, fat soluble vitamins, macrophages (scavenger cells), and lymphocytes (white blood cells) and waste. Before it reaches the bloodstream, the lymph is filtered by the lymph nodes of most of its waste, bacteria and other harmful substances . The remaining wastes are filtered out and eliminated by the kidneys.

The tonsils, the spleen and the thymus are organs of the lymphatic system. The body is protected from harmful substances that enter the nose and mouth by the tonsils. The spleen filters the blood and produces white blood cells that clear up debris, destroy old blood cells and harmful  substances. The spleen also serves as a reserve blood supply. The thymus is responsible for the development of the immune system and lymphocytes (T- cells) that protect the body tissues.

The Sense of Touch

Sensory receptors convert stimulus into nerve impulses which are interpreted as sensation by the central nervous system. Nerve impulses may trigger a reflex response. Sensory receptors are located on the body surface or skin, within muscles, joints, organs and body systems. They are sensitive to vibrations, pressure, touch, temperature, stretch, tickle, itch, pleasure and pain. There are many sensory receptors in the skin which is the organ of touch.

The Skin is the largest organ of the body. Skin tissue, nerve endings, blood vessels, hair, nails, and sweat glands are all part of the Integumentary System or "covering."   The skin protects the body, makes possible sensations of the environment, helps regulate body temperature, excretes waste, and manufactures vitamin D. The skin not only covers the body on the outside, it also protects the eyes, lines the inside ears, nose, mouth and digestive system.



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