The cardiovascular system comprises the heart, with its four chambers; arteries, in which blood moves away from the heart; veins, in which blood returns to the heart; and a system of capillaries, which transport blood between small arteries and small veins. In this diagram, the heart has been split into two halves to illustrate better the functions of the right and left sides.

Source: Chung, M.K., and Rich, M.W. Introduction to the cardiovascular system. Alcohol Health and Research World 14(4):269–276, 1990.

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Prepared: February 2001