Where does old blood go in the body
Old blood, which refers to blood that has circulated through the body and is no longer carrying a high level of oxygen, typically goes through the process of being returned to the heart and lungs for oxygenation. This happens in a series of steps:
1. Deoxygenated blood, which has lower levels of oxygen and higher levels of carbon dioxide, travels from the body's organs and tissues back to the heart through veins.
2. Veins carry the deoxygenated blood to the right side of the heart (specifically the right atrium), where it is collected.
3. From the right atrium, the blood is pumped into the right ventricle.
4. The right ventricle then squeezes the deoxygenated blood out of the heart through the pulmonary artery.
5. The pulmonary artery branches into smaller vessels and eventually reaches the lungs.
6. In the lungs, the blood comes into close contact with air sacs called alveoli, where oxygen diffuses from the air into the blood while carbon dioxide is expelled from the blood into the lungs.
7. After picking up fresh oxygen in the lungs, the now oxygenated blood travels back to the heart.
8. The oxygenated blood returns to the heart through the pulmonary veins, specifically the left atrium.
9. From the left atrium, the blood is pumped into the left ventricle.
10. The left ventricle then squeezes the oxygenated blood out of the heart through the aorta.
11. The aorta carries the oxygenated blood to all parts of the body, delivering fresh oxygen and nutrients to various tissues and organs.
12. As the oxygenated blood is delivered to the body's organs and tissues, it gradually becomes deoxygenated and begins the cycle again by returning to the heart through the veins.
Overall, the process of blood circulation ensures the continuous transportation of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body.