APPLIED RADIOLOGICAL ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Return of blood to the heart, especially from the legs, is facilitated by the skeletal muscle pump. Deep-lying veins are compressed by skeletal muscle, forcing blood through the circulatory system back to the heart.

Detailed explanation-2: -A thin layer of smooth muscle in the veins helps squeeze blood back towards the heart. When muscles contract and relax during the inspiration and expiration process, pressure changes occur in the thoracic and abdominal cavities. These pressure changes compress the nearby veins and assist blood return to the heart.

Detailed explanation-3: -During upright posture, skeletal muscles help maintain venous return and consequently cardiac output by compressing underlying veins in order to increase blood flow back to the heart (skeletal muscle pump).

Detailed explanation-4: -Skeletal Muscle Pump Skeletal muscle is also important in helping venous blood to return to the heart, especially in the lower limbs. Veins within the muscle are compressed as the muscles contract, and this effectively acts as a secondary pump.