What components are included in the cardiovascular system?

The cardiovascular system is primarily responsible for the circulation of blood throughout the body, ensuring that oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products are transported efficiently. The main components of this system include the heart, blood vessels such as arteries and veins, and capillaries.

The heart acts as a pump to circulate blood, while arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the tissues, and veins return oxygen-poor blood back to the heart. This interconnected system is vital for maintaining homeostasis and supporting the metabolic needs of all bodily organs and tissues.

In contrast, other choices list components that do not belong to the cardiovascular system. For example, the lungs, bronchi, and trachea are part of the respiratory system, involved in gas exchange rather than blood circulation. Muscles, joints, and tendons relate to the musculoskeletal system, which supports movement and physical structure. The kidneys, liver, and pancreas are organs involved in the urinary and digestive systems, playing roles in filtration, metabolism, and digestion, again separate from the functions of the cardiovascular system.