ExamFinch.com My Study

Study guide

3.8 The Circulatory & Lymphatic Systems

Practice this exam

Arizona Cosmetology Licensing Exam Study Guide Exam

Track your progress as you read

Finished sections get a check mark.

1 Chapter 1: Arizona Cosmetology Licensing & Board Regulations

1.1 The Arizona Barbering and Cosmetology Board & Licensing Routes 1.2 The Two Arizona Examinations, Scoring & Fees 1.3 License Renewal, Display, Inactive Status & Reactivation 1.4 Establishments, Inspections, Scope of Practice & Discipline

2 Chapter 2: Infection Control, Safety & First Aid Standards

2.1 Principles of Microbiology & Pathogens 2.2 Decontamination Levels: Cleaning, Disinfection & Sterilization 2.3 OSHA Safety Standards & SDS Compliance 2.4 Blood Exposure Protocols & First Aid Emergencies 2.5 Arizona Infection Control Standards in Daily Practice

3 Chapter 3: Human Anatomy, Physiology & Chemistry

3.1 Integumentary System & Skin Anatomy 3.2 Trichology: Hair Structure, Growth & Disorders 3.3 Nail Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology 3.4 Basics of Chemistry & pH Scale 3.5 Muscles of the Head, Face & Neck 3.6 Bones, Muscles & Joints of the Arms, Hands, Legs & Feet 3.7 The Nervous System in Cosmetology 3.8 The Circulatory & Lymphatic Systems

4 Chapter 4: Haircare, Haircutting & Styling Principles

4.1 Hair & Scalp Analysis 4.2 Principles of Haircutting & Elevation 4.3 Wet & Thermal Hair Styling 4.4 Wigs, Hair Additions & Natural Hair Styling 4.5 Hair Care Tools, Electrical Equipment & Safe Handling 4.6 Draping, Shampooing, Conditioning & Scalp Treatments 4.7 Haircutting Implements in Practice & Cutting Techniques 4.8 Hair Design Principles: Face Shapes, Balance & Proportion 4.9 Textured Hair: Curl Patterns, Care & Service Adaptations

5 Chapter 5: Chemical Texture Services

5.1 Chemistry of Perming & Disulfide Bonds 5.2 Permanent Waving Techniques & Wrap Patterns 5.3 Chemical Hair Relaxers & Hydroxide Chemistry 5.4 Keratin Smoothing & Chemical Reforming Procedures

6 Chapter 6: Haircolor & Hair Lightening Services

6.1 Color Theory & Natural Hair Pigment 6.2 Haircolor Classifications & Developers 6.3 Hair Lightening & Decolorizing Services 6.4 Consultation, Predisposition Testing & Color Corrections

7 Chapter 7: Skin Care, Facials & Hair Removal Services

7.1 Skin Analysis, Typing & Conditions 7.2 Facial Treatment Procedures & Cleansing 7.3 Hair Removal Services & Epilation Methods 7.4 Electrotherapy, Facial Machines & Cosmetic Makeup 7.5 Lash & Brow Services and Arizona Eyelash Rules

8 Chapter 8: Nail Care, Manicuring & Nail Enhancements

8.1 Basic Manicure & Pedicure Procedures 8.2 Nail Disorders, Diseases & Safety Contraindications 8.3 Monomer Liquid & Polymer Powder Nail Enhancements 8.4 Light-Cured Gels, Wraps & Electric Filing Safety 8.5 Nail Tools, Equipment & Arizona Foot Spa Disinfection

9 Chapter 9: Salon Business Management, Ethics & Career Practices

9.1 Salon Ownership, Business Structures & Regulations 9.2 Financial Management, Pricing & Retail Sales 9.3 Employment Classification & Tax Compliance 9.4 Professional Ethics, Communication & Client Retention

3.8 The Circulatory & Lymphatic Systems

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

The circulatory system has two divisions: the blood-vascular system (heart, arteries, capillaries, veins) and the lymph-vascular system (lymph, lymph nodes, lymph vessels).

The heart has four chambers — right and left atria on top and right and left ventricles below — and beats roughly 60 to 80 times per minute in a resting adult.

Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, veins carry deoxygenated blood back and contain cup-like valves that prevent backflow, and capillaries connect the two and feed the cells.

The common carotid arteries are the main blood supply to the head, face, and neck; the external carotid supplies the face, scalp, and skin while the internal carotid supplies the brain and eye sockets.

Blood is about 80 percent water, makes up roughly 8 to 10 percent of body weight, and carries oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and immune cells while removing carbon dioxide and waste.

Last updated: August 2026

Circulation Is the Mechanism Behind Every "Stimulating" Service

When a textbook says a service is "stimulating," it means the service increases local blood flow. Scalp massage, facial massage, steam, hot towels, high-frequency current, and even brisk shampooing all raise circulation to the treated area — bringing oxygen and nutrients in and carrying waste out. Understanding the plumbing tells you why a client with high blood pressure, a heart condition, or a circulatory disorder needs a modified service.

The circulatory (cardiovascular) system controls the steady movement of blood through the body and has two divisions:

The blood-vascular system — heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins.

The lymph-vascular (lymphatic) system — lymph, lymph nodes, and lymph vessels.

The Heart

The heart is a muscular, cone-shaped organ roughly the size of a closed fist, weighing about 9 ounces, that pumps blood through the vessels. In a normal resting adult it beats about 60 to 80 times per minute . The vagus nerve and autonomic nervous system regulate its rate.

Four chambers:

  • Chamber Position Role
  • Right atrium Upper right Receives deoxygenated blood returning from the body
  • Right ventricle Lower right Pumps blood to the lungs
  • Left atrium Upper left Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs
  • Left ventricle Lower left Pumps oxygenated blood into the body — the thickest-walled chamber

Valves are structures that temporarily close a passage or permit blood flow in one direction only.

  • The Three Vessel Types HEART --(arteries: away, oxygenated)--> ARTERIOLES --> CAPILLARIES
  • |
  • tissue exchange
  • |
  • HEART <--(veins: toward, deoxygenated)-- VENULES <--------+

Vessel Direction Wall Distinguishing Feature

Arteries Away from the heart Thick, muscular, flexible Carry oxygen-rich blood; smaller branches are arterioles

Capillaries Connect arterioles to venules One cell thick Site of oxygen, nutrient, and waste exchange with cells

Veins Toward the heart Thinner walled Carry oxygen-poor blood; contain cup-like valves that prevent backflow; smaller branches are venules

Veins are located closer to the skin's surface than arteries — which is why venous structures are visible on the back of the hand and why aggressive pressure over a superficial vein is inappropriate during massage.

Blood

Blood is the nutritive fluid circulating through the system. Key facts:

Approximately 80 percent water .

Makes up about 8 to 10 percent of total body weight.

An adult carries roughly 8 to 10 pints .

Bright red in the arteries (oxygenated), dark red in the veins (deoxygenated).

Normal body temperature is about 98.6 °F (37 °C) .

  • Component Function
  • Red blood cells (erythrocytes) Carry oxygen from the lungs to the cells via hemoglobin
  • White blood cells (leukocytes) Destroy disease-causing microorganisms
  • Platelets (thrombocytes) Contribute to blood clotting , sealing injured vessels
  • Plasma Straw-colored fluid, about 90 percent water, carrying cells, nutrients, and waste

The primary functions of blood : carry water, oxygen, food, and secretions to cells; carry away carbon dioxide and waste; help equalize body temperature; work with the immune system to protect against harmful bacteria and infection; and clot to close injured vessels.

Arteries of the Head, Face, and Neck

The common carotid arteries are the main supply to the head, face, and neck, one on each side of the neck. Each divides into an internal and an external branch:

Internal carotid artery — supplies the brain, eyes, eyelids, forehead, nose, and internal ear .

External carotid artery — supplies the face, scalp, side of the head, and skin . Its branches are what a facial massage stimulates:

External Carotid Branch Area Supplied

Facial artery (external maxillary) Lower region of the face, mouth, and nose — branches include the submental, inferior labial, angular, and superior labial arteries

Superficial temporal artery Muscles of the front, side, and top of the head — branches include the frontal, parietal, middle temporal, and anterior auricular arteries

  • Occipital artery Skin and muscles of the scalp and back of the head up to the crown
  • Posterior auricular artery Scalp above and behind the ear

Veins of the face and neck — the internal and external jugular veins — return blood from the head and face to the heart. Facial veins parallel the arteries and carry the same names.

Vessels of the Arms and Legs

  • Vessel Region
  • Ulnar artery and its branches Little-finger side of the arm and palm
  • Radial artery and its branches Thumb side of the arm and back of the hand
  • Popliteal artery Divides at the knee into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries

Anterior tibial artery Supplies the front of the lower leg and the top of the foot (becoming the dorsalis pedis )

Posterior tibial artery Supplies the ankle and the back of the lower leg

The dorsalis pedis pulse on the top of the foot and the posterior tibial pulse behind the medial malleolus are the two points a podiatrist checks for circulation. A cosmetologist does not diagnose, but a foot that is cold, pale, dusky, or hairless is a reason to refer rather than to proceed with an aggressive pedicure.

The Lymphatic System

Lymph is a clear, yellowish fluid that circulates in the lymph spaces of the body. It is formed when blood plasma filters through capillary walls into the surrounding tissue.

Primary functions:

Carry nourishment from the blood to body cells.

Act as a defense against invading bacteria and toxins, through lymph nodes that filter the fluid.

Remove waste from the cells and return it to the bloodstream.

Provide a suitable fluid environment for the cells.

Unlike blood, lymph has no pump. It moves through muscle contraction, breathing, and external pressure — which is exactly what lymphatic drainage massage supplies. Facial drainage technique uses light, rhythmic, directional strokes toward the lymph node clusters in front of and behind the ear, along the jawline, and at the base of the neck. Heavy pressure defeats the purpose: lymph vessels sit just beneath the skin, and deep pressure compresses them shut.

Contraindication note. Increased circulation is not always desirable. Clients with uncontrolled hypertension, recent surgery, active infection, thrombosis, or a diagnosed lymphatic disorder should have vigorous massage, heat, steam, and stimulating current omitted and should be referred to a physician.