Which components make up the cardiovascular system?

The cardiovascular system is specifically composed of the heart, blood vessels, and blood. The heart acts as the central pump, propelling blood throughout the body via a network of blood vessels, which include arteries, veins, and capillaries. Blood serves as the transportation medium, carrying oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products to and from cells.

While other options include relevant anatomical structures, they do not accurately represent the core components of the cardiovascular system itself. The lungs and brain, for example, are part of different systems: the respiratory system and the central nervous system, respectively. Lymphatic vessels are associated with the lymphatic system, which plays a role in immune function and fluid balance, rather than being part of the cardiovascular system. Thus, identifying the heart, blood vessels, and blood correctly encompasses the primary elements of cardiovascular function.