Bird heart The blood circulation of birds differs from that of reptiles in its complete separation into arterial and venous branches owing to the degeneration of the left arch of aorta.For the first time in the evolutionary development of vertebrates the pulmonary and systemic circulations are completely separated from each other ,and all the blood flows through each in turn.The venous blood of the systemic circulation flows through two superior venae cavae(1+2)and one inferior vena cava(3)into the right atrium f4)and from here into the right ventricle(5).which pumps the blood through the pulmonary circulation.It flows through the pulmonary artery(6) to the capillary network of the lungs.where the exchange between carbon-dioxide and oxygen takes place.and finally the arterial blood returns to the heart via the two pulmonary veins(7)which both open into the 1eft atrium(8).The arterial blood then flows into the left ventricle(9).which pumps it through the systemic circulation.First it flows through the aorta(10).which corresponds to the right arch of aorta in reptile hearts.and reaches the capillary network of the whole body through the aortal branches.Here the exchange of gases is reversed and the now venous blood of low oxygen content returns via the veins to the right atrium.From the aorta arise the innominate arteries(11+12).each of which branches into a subclavian artery(13) and a common carotid artery(14)