What is the difference between Systemic Circulation and Pulmonary Circulation?

The circulatory system pumps oxygenated blood throughout the body. This will not be possible without pulmonary and systemic circulation. Pulmonary circulation is the process where the deoxygenated (oxygen-poor) blood is being carried away from the heart to the lungs in exchange of blood rich in oxygen back to the heart. The deoxygenated blood leaves through the pulmonary arteries of the right ventricle.

The oxygenated blood then leaves the lungs going to the left side of the heart. Systemic circulation is the process of carrying the oxygenated blood from the heart to the parts of the body. The oxygenated blood from the lungs travels to the left ventricle through the aorta then to the tissues and organs of the body. In simpler terms, pulmonary circulation happens in the heart and lungs while systemic circulation all throughout the body.

There is always blood running through your body, whether it is taking blood that is pumped from your heart to your brain or another part of your body. This movement of blood is called circulation. However, there are different types of circulation including pulmonary and systemic circulation. One of the main differences between systemic circulation and pulmonary circulation is the type of blood that is being moved.

Pulmonary circulation carries deoxygenated blood, whereas systemic circulation carries oxygenated blood. The place where the blood comes from in your heart is also the main difference. Systemic circulation takes blood from the left ventricle of the heart, and in pulmonary circulation,, blood is taken from the right ventricle of the heart. Then it goes to another part of the body.