Cardiac sound is a term used to describe the sound of the heart. In phonetic terms, it is spelled as /ˈkɑːdɪak saʊnd/. The first syllable is pronounced as "car" with a long "a" sound, the second syllable is "diac" with a "d" sound, and the last syllable is "sound" with a "s" and "ow" sound, as in "town". The spelling reflects the pronunciation of each individual sound in the word. Knowing a phonetic transcription can help readers pronounce words correctly by breaking down the components of the word.
Cardiac sound refers to the various noises or sounds produced by the heart during its functioning. These sounds are generated by the turbulent flow of blood through the four chambers of the heart and the associated valves.
The normal cardiac sounds are known as heart sounds (S1 and S2) and are commonly heard during a physical examination with a stethoscope. The first heart sound (S1) occurs when the mitral and tricuspid valves close at the beginning of the ventricular contraction. It is often described as a "lub" sound and represents the closure of the atrioventricular valves. The second heart sound (S2) occurs when the aortic and pulmonary valves close at the end of ventricular contraction. It is described as a "dub" sound and represents the closure of the semilunar valves.
Abnormal cardiac sounds, known as heart murmurs, can also be heard during a physical examination. These murmurs can be indicative of various cardiac abnormalities, such as valve disorders, septal defects, or abnormalities in blood flow. They are often described as whooshing or swishing sounds that occur during the phases of the cardiac cycle.
In summary, cardiac sound refers to the collection of sounds produced by the heart during its rhythmic contraction and relaxation. These sounds can be normal, like the heart sounds (S1 and S2), or abnormal, like heart murmurs, and provide important diagnostic information about the heart's structure and function.
The etymology of the word "cardiac sound" comes from the combination of the Latin word "cardiacus", meaning "pertaining to the heart", and the English word "sound".
The Latin term "cardiacus" originated from the ancient Greek word "kardiakos", which also meant "pertaining to the heart". This term can be traced back to the Greek word "kardia", meaning "heart".
The English word "sound" refers to vibrations that travel through the air or other mediums, which can be perceived by the ears.
Therefore, the term "cardiac sound" is used to describe the sounds produced by the heart during its normal functioning or abnormalities, as perceived through auscultation with a stethoscope or other medical instruments.