How Do You Spell PRESYSTOLIC?

1. Presystolic is an adjective that describes a period or phase immediately preceding the systole, which is the contraction phase of the heartbeat. Within the context of cardiology and the anatomy of the heart, the presystolic phase refers specifically to the time interval just before the contraction of the atria, which are the upper chambers of the heart.

   During normal heart function, the sequence of events begins with the relaxation of the atria, allowing them to fill with blood. This period is called diastole. Following diastole, the atria contract, forcing the remaining blood into the ventricles, which are the lower chambers of the heart. This contraction represents the presystolic phase. Subsequently, the ventricles contract as part of the systole, pumping blood out of the heart.

   The presystolic phase is typically brief, lasting only a fraction of a second. However, abnormalities in heart function or certain medical conditions can cause prolongation or disruption of this phase, leading to impaired blood flow or irregular heart rhythms.

   In summary, presystolic refers to the period immediately prior to the contraction of the atria during a heartbeat. Understanding this term is important in the field of cardiology, as it helps to describe the normal and abnormal functioning of the heart.

2. Relating to the beginning of the systole of the heart or to the interval immediately preceding it.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for PRESYSTOLIC

The word "presystolic" is derived from the combination of two terms: "pre-" and "systolic".

1. "Pre-" is a prefix that stems from the Latin word "prae", meaning "before".

2. "Systolic", on the other hand, originates from the Late Latin word "systolicus", which is derived from the Greek word "sustolikós". In Greek, "systolikós" means "contraction".

Combining these two components, "pre-" and "systolic", gives us "presystolic". In a medical context, "presystolic" refers to the period of time immediately before the contraction of the heart chambers, particularly in relation to certain sounds or actions associated with cardiac function.