Venous Return

The flow of blood through the veins back to the heart

The venous return is assisted by five mechanisms called the respiratory pump, pocket valve, muscle pump and gravity.

Pocket Vales - If there is insufficient pressure blood will sit in the pocket valves

Muscle pump - muscles will maintain the right amount of blood to be pumped in movements

Respiratory pump -

Smooth muscle - Relaxation to help push blood through the veins to the heart

Gravity - Increases the blood flow to the area below the heart