Double circulation is a process during which blood passes twice through the heart during one complete cycle. The flow of blood in the heart consists of two phases —
The short pulmonary (lung) circulation
The long systemic (general body) circulation
Difference between pulmonary and systemic circulation —
| Pulmonary circulation | Systemic circulation |
|---|---|
| It involves circulation of blood between the heart and the lungs. | It involves circulation of blood between the heart and the body organs (except lungs). |
| It carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs to receive oxygen. | It carries oxygenated blood to the body organs. |
| It returns oxygenated blood back to the heart. | It returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart. |