SYSTOLE Meaning and
Definition
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Systole is a term used in medical and physiological contexts to refer to the contraction phase of the cardiac cycle, specifically in the heart muscles. It is the phase during which the heart muscles contract, exerting a force that allows blood to be pumped out of the chambers into the arteries. This contraction occurs in response to electrical signals that are sent from the sinoatrial (SA) node, the natural pacemaker of the heart, and travel along the conduction pathway of the heart.
During systole, the ventricles of the heart contract, pushing blood out of the chambers, while the atria relax and eventually begin to refill with blood. The muscles of the ventricles contract in a coordinated manner, creating enough force to overcome the resistance in the arteries and propel blood to flow to different parts of the body.
In a healthy individual, systole occurs rhythmically with each heartbeat and is an essential component of the overall cardiac cycle. It is measured by various parameters, such as the ventricular ejection fraction, stroke volume, and cardiac output, which collectively provide insights into the efficiency and effectiveness of the heart's pumping function.
Disruptions or abnormalities in systole can have significant implications for cardiovascular health. Conditions such as arrhythmias, heart failure, and various cardiac disorders can impact the regularity and strength of systolic contractions, leading to compromised blood circulation and potential organ damage. Treatment for systolic abnormalities may involve medication, lifestyle modifications, or, in some cases, surgical interventions.
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The rhythmical contraction of the heart, especially of the ventricles, by which the blood is driven through the aorta and pulmonary artery to traverse the systemic and pulmonary circulations, respectively; its occurrence is indicated physically by the first sound of the heart heard on auscultation, by the apex beat felt in the fifth intercostal space to the left of the sternum, and by the swelling of the pulse.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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In gram., the shortening of a long syllable; in med., the contraction of the heart and arteries for expelling the blood and carrying on the circulation.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Etymology of SYSTOLE
The word "systole" is derived from the Ancient Greek word "systolḗ" (συστολή), which means "contraction" or "compression". In Greek, "systolḗ" is derived from the verb "systéllein" (συστέλλειν), meaning "to contract" or "to compress". The term "systole" is predominantly used in medical and biological contexts to refer to the phase of contraction of the heart muscles during its pumping action.
Similar spelling word for SYSTOLE
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