Circulation and respiration are two systems in our body where fluid mechanics of liquids and gases are of major importance for a proper understanding. In the circulation the corpuscular character of blood is also of importance and is reflected in the rheological behavior of blood. The driving forces of both systems are muscles and consequently also muscle mechanics will be treated.

Both circulation and respiration are well-controlled systems that are focussed on the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. The principles of physiological control systems are treated in this course.

Flows in circulation and respiration are pulsatile. In blood the interaction between flow and the vessel wall results in wave patterns of pressure and fluid velocity in the circulation. The most important parameter for the control of the circulation is the blood filling of our body. Therefore, we can not do without insight into the function of the kidney.