systole

(noun)

rhythmic contraction of the heart, by which blood is driven through the arteries

Related Terms

Examples of systole in the following topics:

  • Blood Pressure

    • The systolic pressure is defined as the peak pressure in the arteries during the cardiac cycle; the diastolic pressure is the lowest pressure at the resting phase of the cardiac cycle.
    • During systole, when new blood is entering the arteries, the artery walls stretch to accommodate the increase of pressure of the extra blood.
    • The blood pressure of the systole phase and the diastole phase gives the two readings for blood pressure .
    • For example, the typical value for a resting, healthy adult is 120/80, which indicates a reading of 120 mm Hg during the systole and 80 mm Hg during diastole.

  • The Cardiac Cycle

    • In each cardiac cycle, the heart contracts (systole), pushing out the blood and pumping it through the body.
    • (b) During atrial systole, the atria contract, pushing blood into the ventricles.

  • Contractile Vacuoles in Microorganisms

    • The contraction of the CV and the expulsion of water from the cell is called systole.