Duration of the online course: 1 hours and 58 minutes
New
Strengthen your anatomy skills with this free online course on the circulatory system—learn heart chambers, vessels and flow, plus quizzes and a certificate option.
In this free course, learn about
Abdominal aorta anatomy and major branches; identify which arteries arise from it
Aortic arch branching pattern (brachiocephalic trunk, L common carotid, L subclavian)
Thoracic (descending) aorta anatomy and typical branches; recognize non-branches
Heart wall layers: epicardium and myocardium locations and roles in cardiac function
Heart chamber anatomy/functions: right atrium/ventricle and left atrium/ventricle blood flow
Valve function in the heart; mitral valve anatomy and role in one-way left-heart flow
Pulmonary arteries vs pulmonary veins locations and unique oxygenation roles
Lung basics: location, right vs left lung differences, and alveoli gas-exchange function
General roles of arteries vs veins; how venous valves prevent backflow
Superior and inferior vena cava drainage pathways; IVC embryologic origin overview
Brain circulation: anterior vs posterior systems; key arteries and superficial venous drainage
Build a clear, practical understanding of how blood moves through the body and why each structure matters. This free online course in circulatory system anatomy is designed for learners who want to confidently connect the heart, lungs, arteries and veins into one coherent picture—useful for health students, exam preparation, and anyone returning to anatomy after time away.
You will reinforce the foundations of cardiovascular anatomy while also sharpening the clinical vocabulary used in healthcare settings. Instead of memorizing isolated terms, you will learn to visualize circulation as a route: how deoxygenated blood returns through the great veins, how it travels across the right heart to reach the lungs, and how oxygenated blood returns to the left heart to be propelled into the aorta and out to organs and limbs.
Along the way, you will clarify key differences that commonly confuse learners, such as pulmonary arteries versus pulmonary veins, and how their functions relate to oxygenation rather than the direction of flow. You will also strengthen your recognition of major vessels and regions, including the aortic arch and its branching pattern, the thoracic and abdominal aorta, the axillary artery, and the venae cavae—helping you understand supply and drainage across the head and neck, brain, trunk, and abdomen.
Short knowledge checks throughout the course help you confirm what you understand and quickly correct misconceptions. The included exercises encourage active recall, so you can move from passive watching to reliable exam-ready knowledge. You will also encounter anatomy in a way that supports real-world relevance, linking normal structures to topics often discussed in health contexts, such as myocardium and epicardium, the role of heart valves, and vein function in conditions like varicose veins.
By the end, you should feel more confident describing the heart chambers, major vessels, and the purpose of pulmonary and systemic circulation, with a stronger ability to reason through anatomy questions instead of guessing. Learn at your own pace, revisit lessons whenever you need, and use the course to support your broader path in health and anatomy.
Course content
Video class: Abdominal Aorta - Branches and Anatomy - Human Anatomy | Kenhub02m
Exercise: Which of the following pairs of arteries are branches of the abdominal aorta?
Video class: Aortic Arch: Anatomy, Branches, Function01m
Exercise: Which of the following correctly describes the branching pattern of the aortic arch?
Video class: Epicardium - Definition01m
Exercise: Which of the following statements about the epicardium is true?
Video class: Pulmonary Arteries - Location01m
Exercise: Which of the following statements correctly describes the function of the pulmonary arteries?
Video class: Pulmonary Veins - Location02m
Exercise: What is unique about the function of the pulmonary veins as compared to most other veins in the body?
Video class: Left Atrium Heart Chamber Anatomy - Human Anatomy | Kenhub02m
Exercise: What is the main function of the left atrium of the heart?
Video class: Lungs: Definition, Location03m
Exercise: What is the primary function of the alveoli in the lungs?
Exercise: Which of the following correctly describes the difference between the right and left lungs?
Video class: Right Ventricle - Function, Definition and Anatomy - Human Anatomy | Kenhub02m
Exercise: Which structure is responsible for collecting deoxygenated blood from the right atrium before it is pumped into the lungs?
Exercise: Which of the following statements about the right ventricle is correct?
Video class: Mitral Valve - Anatomy, Function02m
Exercise: Which of the following statements is true about the mitral valve?
Video class: Myocardium - Definition, Location01m
Exercise: Which of the following is the role of the myocardium in the heart?
Video class: Left Ventricle (Heart) - Function, Definition and Anatomy- Human Anatomy | Kenhub02m
Exercise: What is the main function of the left ventricle in the circulatory system?
Exercise: Which statement accurately describes the function of the left ventricle?
Video class: Right Atrium - Location, Anatomy02m
Exercise: Which structure does deoxygenated blood pass through from the right atrium into the right ventricle?
Video class: Thoracic (Descending) Aorta: Anatomy03m
Exercise: Which of the following is NOT a branch of the thoracic aorta?
Video class: Axillary Artery - Location01m
Exercise: Which structural feature distinguishes the third part of the axillary artery from its first and second parts?
Video class: Superior Vena Cava Cardiovascular System | Human Anatomy - Kenhub02m
Exercise: Which structure does the superior vena cava (SVC) drain blood into?
Exercise: Which of the following structures is responsible for draining blood from the upper part of the body, including the upper limbs, eyes, and neck, into the right atrium of the heart?
Video class: Inferior vena cava - Anatomy, Branches03m
Exercise: Where does the inferior vena cava originate embryologically?
Video class: Left Atrium - Definition, Function02m
Exercise: What is the primary function of the left atrium in the heart?
Exercise: What is the primary function of the left atrium in the heart?
Video class: Arteries of the brain: lateral and medial views (preview) - Human Neuroanatomy | Kenhub03m
Exercise: Which artery is primarily responsible for the anterior circulation of the brain?
Exercise: Which artery is responsible for the anterior circulation of the brain?
Video class: Circulatory system - Function, Definition - Human Anatomy | Kenhub05m
Exercise: What is the primary function of the valves found in the heart?
Video class: Blood Vessels of the Parapharyngeal Space (preview) - Human Anatomy | Kenhub03m
Exercise: Which artery is the first branch of the aortic arch and supplies blood to the right arm and head?
Exercise: Which artery originates directly from the aortic arch?
Video class: Superficial Veins of the Brain (preview) - Human Anatomy | Kenhub03m
Exercise: What is the main function of the superficial veins of the brain?
Exercise: What is the main role of the superficial veins of the brain?
Exercise: Where are the superficial veins of the brain primarily located?
Video class: Arteries of the Stomach, Liver and Spleen (preview) - Human Anatomy | Kenhub02m
Exercise: Which artery is primarily responsible for supplying blood to the foregut region, including the stomach, liver, and spleen?
Video class: What Is An Artery? - Human Anatomy | Kenhub02m
Exercise: Which of the following best describes the main function of arteries in the circulatory system?
Video class: Arteries of the brain: inferior view (preview) - Human Anatomy | Kenhub03m
Exercise: Which of the following arteries is part of the posterior circulation supplying the brain?
Exercise: Which artery is part of the anterior circulation of the brain and primarily contributes to supplying blood to the frontal lobe?
Video class: Veins of the Abdomen and Pelvis (preview) - Human Anatomy | Kenhub02m
Exercise: Which vein is the largest in the human body and carries venous blood from the lower limbs, back, abdominal walls, pelvic viscera, and abdominal viscera to the right atrium of the heart?
Video class: Cardiovascular system: veins (preview) - Human Anatomy | Kenhub03m
Exercise: Which of the following statements about the veins in the circulatory system is correct?
Video class: Blood vessels of nasal cavity (preview) - Human Anatomy | Kenhub03m
Exercise: What is the main arterial supply responsible for the blood flow to the nasal cavity?
Video class: Cardiovascular system: arteries (preview) - Human Anatomy | Kenhub03m
Exercise: What is the main function of the arteries in the cardiovascular system?
Video class: Hepatic Portal Vein (preview) - Human Anatomy | Kenhub03m
Exercise: What is the primary function of the hepatic portal vein?
Video class: Arteries of the large intestine (preview) - Human Anatomy | Kenhub03m
Exercise: Which artery is primarily responsible for supplying blood to the first half of the large intestine, including the appendix, cecum, and ascending colon?
Video class: Myocarditis: Symptoms | Kenhub #shorts00m
Exercise: Which of the following symptoms is NOT typically associated with myocarditis?
Video class: Overview of the lower limb arteries (preview) - Human Anatomy | Kenhub03m
Exercise: Which artery is responsible for supplying blood to the anterior compartment of the thigh and has branches named ascending, transverse, and descending?
Video class: Main veins of the head and neck (preview) - Human Anatomy | Kenhub03m
Exercise: What is the primary function of the internal jugular vein in the circulatory system?
Video class: FULL VIDEO: Main veins of the head and neck - Human Anatomy | Kenhub14m
Exercise: What is the primary function of the internal jugular vein?
Video class: Varicose veins: Definition, causes, symptoms and treatment | Kenhub07m
Exercise: What is the primary function of veins that prevents blood from flowing backwards towards the extremities?
Video class: Varicose veins: Causes and types | Kenhub #shorts01m
Exercise: Which factor is NOT considered a risk factor for developing varicose veins?
Video class: Varicose veins: Definition | Kenhub #shorts01m
Exercise: What role do valves play in the veins of the circulatory system?
Video class: Varicose veins: Symptoms and complications | Kenhub #shorts00m
Exercise: Which of the following is a symptom of varicose veins that tends to worsen in the summer and evenings due to blood stagnation?
Video class: Varicose veins: Treatment (Surgery) | Kenhub #shorts00m
Exercise: What is the initial step in the described surgical procedure once the anesthetic has taken effect?
This free course includes:
1 hours and 58 minutes of online video course
Digital certificate of course completion (Free)
Exercises to train your knowledge
100% free, from content to certificate
What are the main branches of the aortic arch?
The aortic arch gives rise to the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery.
Why do pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood?
They carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs, where it receives oxygen during gas exchange.
What is the difference between the superior and inferior vena cava?
The superior vena cava returns blood from the upper body, while the inferior vena cava returns blood from the lower body to the right atrium.
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