Which of the following is NOT a major component of the cardiovascular system?

The lungs are not considered a major component of the cardiovascular system. The cardiovascular system primarily consists of the heart, arteries, and veins, which work together to circulate blood throughout the body. The heart pumps the blood, arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the tissues, and veins return deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

The lungs, while essential for gas exchange—removing carbon dioxide from the blood and adding oxygen—are part of the respiratory system. Their primary role is to facilitate the exchange of gases and connect indirectly to the cardiovascular system through the pulmonary circulation, but they do not constitute a direct component of it. This distinction highlights the integral roles that different systems play in maintaining overall physiological function.