The circulatory system is primarily responsible for the transportation of blood, nutrients, gases, and waste throughout the body. The system that works most closely with the circulatory system is the respiratory system. The primary function of the respiratory system is to facilitate gas exchange, specifically the intake of oxygen and the exhalation of carbon dioxide.
Oxygen is essential for cellular metabolism, and once it is absorbed into the bloodstream in the lungs, it is transported by the circulatory system to all body tissues. Conversely, the circulatory system carries carbon dioxide produced by cells back to the lungs for exhalation. This close interaction between the two systems ensures that the body maintains appropriate levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide, which is vital for life.
The other systems mentioned have significant functions, but they do not have the direct and immediate reliance on the circulatory system for gas exchange and oxygen delivery that defines the relationship between the circulatory and respiratory systems.