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Where does systemic circulation begin and end?

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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. — human cardiovascular system The human heart is both a pump and a muscle. Its four chambers move blood efficiently, while cardiac muscle cells joined by intercalated disks synchronize each contraction.

In the human cardiovascular system, systemic circulation is the circuit responsible for transporting oxygenated blood to the body's tissues and returning oxygen-depleted blood to the heart.12

Beginning: The process begins at the left ventricle, which pumps oxygen-rich blood into the aorta.12
Ending: The circuit ends at the right atrium, where the blood returns via the superior and inferior venae cavae after circulating through the body's tissues.12

This system works in tandem with pulmonary circulation to maintain homeostasis by delivering essential nutrients and hormones while removing metabolic waste products like carbon dioxide.12