systoles
Cardiac pumping phases
Systoles is the plural of systole, the phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood into the arteries.
It alternates with diastole, the relaxation phase.
Blood pressure readings give systolic pressure first: His systoles were running high, pushing 150.
The term extends to any rhythmic contraction.
Of heart's lower chambers
- atrialOf upper heart chambers
- ejectionForced removal from somewhere
- ventricleHollow organ chamber
- atriumRoofed central hall
myocardium · endocardium · pericardium · aorta · valves · pacemaker · depolarization · repolarization
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- throbBeat with intensity
- palpitationIrregular heartbeat awareness
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
- tempoRate of musical performance
pulse · regularity · cycle · periodicity · timing · pattern · sequence · oscillation
Firm bilateral compression
- compressReduce volume by force
- pumpFluid-moving machine
- tightenMake more secure
- constrictTo squeeze tightly
shorten · muscle · clench · twitch · spasm · flex · narrow · forceful
Force upon contact
- pulseArterial blood throb
- oxygenationAdding breathable gas
- arteryOxygen-rich blood conduit
- circulationMovement through a system
ventricular
Of heart's lower chambers
atrium · myocardium · endocardium · pericardium · aorta · valves · pacemaker · depolarization · repolarization · chamber
beat
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- throbBeat with intensity
- palpitationIrregular heartbeat awareness
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
tempo · pulse · regularity · cycle · periodicity · timing · pattern · sequence · oscillation · recurrence
squeeze
Firm bilateral compression
constrict · shorten · muscle · clench · twitch · spasm · flex · narrow · forceful · expulsion
pressure
Force upon contact
- pulseArterial blood throb
- oxygenationAdding breathable gas
- arteryOxygen-rich blood conduit
circulation · perfusion · flow · vascular · capillary
- systolic blood pressureArterial force during contraction
- systolic pressureArterial force during heartbeat