RT Book, Section A1 Morgan, Barbara J. A1 Dempsey, Jerome A. A2 DeTurk, William E. A2 Cahalin, Lawrence P. SR Print(0) ID 6872333 T1 Chapter 5. Physiology of the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems T2 Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy: An Evidence-Based Approach, 2e YR 2011 FD 2011 PB The McGraw-Hill Companies PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-159814-9 LK accessphysiotherapy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=6872333 RD 2024/03/29 AB The major function of the cardiovascular system is to deliver, via the blood, oxygen and nutrients to all tissues of the body and to remove from them carbon dioxide and other waste products of cellular metabolism. In this regard, the cardiovascular system is the link between external respiration (gas exchange between the atmosphere and lungs) and cellular respiration (use of oxygen for energy production by the mitochondria). Other vital functions include, transport of heat to maintain body temperature, delivery of white blood cells to sites where they defend against foreign material, and transport of hormones from the site of release to their target organs. Thus, the cardiovascular system is a key contributor to constancy of the body's internal milieu or homeostasis.