The Acupuncture Works

The cardiovascular (CV) system consists of all those structures which have the role of transporting the blood to all parts of the body. In this way the CV system enables the blood to perform its roles of protection, providing nutrients, and removal of toxins for all the bodily tissues.

The CV system consists of two main parts which you will consider in turn in this lesson, the blood vessels and the heart. The vessels are the channels through which the blood flows.

The three main types of blood vessels are called arteries, veins and capillaries. The heart, of course, is the pump which provides the power to create the flow of blood through the vessels.

Sometimes the lymphatic system, which you studied in Lesson 2.1d, is also included as part of this system. However, in this course, for the sake of clarity, the lymphatic system will be treated as a separate system.

The blood (haematological system) is not conventionally considered to be a part of the CV system.

Conventionally the cardiovascular system is seen simply as a pump and a series of pipes.

It is not equated with any of the deep emotional qualities to which it is linked in Chinese medicine.