circulatory

circulatory /cir·cu·la·to·ry/ (ser´ku-lah-tor?e)

1. pertaining to circulation, particularly that of the blood.

2. containing blood.

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cir·cu·la·to·ry (sûrky-l-tôr)

n.

1. Relating to circulation.

2. Relating to the circulatory system.

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circulatory

pertaining to circulation.

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circulatory arrest

see cardiac arrest.

circulatory collapse

shock; circulatory insufficiency without congestive heart failure.

circulatory failure

includes cardiac or central circulatory failure and peripheral circulatory failure. Although the mechanisms, causes and clinical syndromes are different the pathogenesis is the same, the circulatory system fails to maintain the supply of oxygen and other nutrients to the tissues and to remove the carbon dioxide and other metabolites from them. The failure may be hypovolemic, distributive.

circulatory response

changes in the cardiac and vascular functions in response to such factors as emotional stress, physical exercise, temperature change.

circulatory shock

see shock.

circulatory support

see extracorporeal circulation.

circulatory system

the major system concerned with the movement of blood and lymph; it consists of the heart and blood vessels. The circulatory system transports to the tissues and organs of the body the oxygen, nutritive substances, immune substances, hormones and chemicals necessary for normal function and activities; it also carries away waste products and carbon dioxide. It helps to regulate body temperature and helps maintain normal water and electrolyte balance.

The rate of blood flow through the vessels depends upon several factors: force of the heartbeat, rate of the heartbeat, venous return and control of the arterioles and capillaries by chemical, neural and thermal stimuli.