human cardiovascular system: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos and Videos

Illustration of a human heart cross-section showing four chambers-left and right atria and ventricles-with labeled major blood vessels. An inset highlights cardiac muscle tissue, showing myocytes and intercalated disks.

Illustration of a human heart with a magnified callout showing the elongated, striated structure of cardiac muscle cells.

Diagram of the human torso showing the venae cavae and their major tributary veins, with labeled pathways including the jugular, subclavian, renal, iliac, and femoral veins as part of the cardiovascular system.

coronary angioplasty: injection of contrast medium

coronary angioplasty: thrombolytic therapy

coronary angioplasty: unblocked artery

Understanding the human cardiovascular system

The human heart and cardiovascular system explained

Hear an exposed human heart beating

How the pacemaker transmits electrical impulses through the heart

Function of red blood cells explained

See All Videos, Images and Interactives →

Topics

cardiovascular disease heart valve transplant hemangioma hypertension stroke artificial heart heart arteriosclerosis congenital heart disease heart attack human nervous system human eye human digestive system human respiratory system renal system human endocrine system human sensory reception human reproductive system human skin human skeleton

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Key People

Carl F.W. Ludwig, detail of an engraving

Carl F.W. Ludwig

German physiologist

Ferid Murad

Ferid Murad

American pharmacologist

default image

Louis Ignarro

American pharmacologist

default image

Robert F. Furchgott

American pharmacologist

Albinus, Bernard Siegfried: engraving of human skeleton

Bernard Siegfried Albinus

German anatomist

Male muscle, man flexing arm, bicep curl.

Facts You Should Know: The Human Body Quiz

Male muscle, man flexing arm, bicep curl.

Facts You Should Know: The Human Body Quiz

Muscles of facial expression, human anatomy, (Netter replacement project - SSC). Human face, human head.

Characteristics of the Human Body

Superficial arteries and veins of face and scalp, cardiovascular system, human anatomy, (Netter replacement project - SSC)

The Human Body