What path does the blood take through cardiovascular system?

Pulmonary Circulation:

1. Right Atrium: Deoxygenated blood from the body enters the right atrium through two large veins called the superior vena cava (which collects blood from the upper body) and the inferior vena cava (which collects blood from the lower body).

2. Tricuspid Valve: The blood then flows through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle.

3. Pulmonary Valve: From the right ventricle, the blood is pumped through the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery, which carries it to the lungs.

4. Lungs: In the lungs, the blood releases carbon dioxide and picks up oxygen, becoming oxygenated.

5. Pulmonary Veins: The now-oxygenated blood returns to the heart through four pulmonary veins, which empty into the left atrium.

Systemic Circulation:

1. Left Atrium: Oxygenated blood from the lungs enters the left atrium through the pulmonary veins.

2. Bicuspid (Mitral) Valve: The blood passes through the bicuspid (mitral) valve into the left ventricle.

3. Aortic Valve: The left ventricle contracts and pumps the oxygenated blood through the aortic valve into the aorta, the largest artery in the body.

4. Aorta: The aorta branches into smaller arteries, which deliver the oxygenated blood to all tissues and organs of the body.

5. Veins: Deoxygenated blood from the body's tissues and organs flows back to the heart through veins, completing the systemic circulation.