Systole

Definition

Systole is the phase of the cardiac cycle during which the heart muscles contract and pump blood from the chambers into the arteries. It primarily involves contraction of the ventricles, pushing blood into systemic and pulmonary circulation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Systole is responsible for generating the maximum pressure in the arteries, known as systolic pressure.
2. The sequence of systole begins with atrial systole followed by ventricular systole.
3. During ventricular systole, the left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta while the right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary artery.
4. Systole is one part of the cardiac cycle, with diastole being its counterpart where relaxation and filling occur.
5. The duration of systole is shorter compared to diastole in a normal heartbeat.

Review Questions

• What happens to blood flow during ventricular systole?
• How does systolic pressure differ from diastolic pressure?
• What role do atrial contractions play in systole?

Related terms

Diastole:

The phase of the cardiac cycle when heart muscles relax and allow chambers to fill with blood.

Cardiac Cycle: The complete sequence of events in a heartbeat, including both systole and diastole.

Aorta:

The largest artery in the body that receives oxygenated blood pumped from the left ventricle during ventricular systole.