The word "prediastole" refers to the brief period of time when the heart's ventricles relax just before the diastolic phase. It is pronounced /priːdaɪˈæstəli/, with stress on the second syllable. The prefix "pre-" means "before", while "diastole" refers to the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle relaxes and fills with blood. The spelling of "prediastole" follows the conventions of English word formation and is derived from its Greek roots, reflecting the scientific terminology of the field of cardiology.
Prediastole is a medical term referring to the phase occurring immediately before the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle. It is characterized by the initial relaxation of the heart's ventricles, during which the ventricular pressure decreases in preparation for filling with blood.
During prediastole, the heart muscles start to relax, allowing the heart chambers to expand and create a low pressure environment. This decrease in pressure allows for the smooth flow of blood from the atria into the ventricles. This phase is crucial in facilitating efficient filling of the ventricles and ensuring an adequate supply of oxygenated blood to be subsequently pumped out to the body.
Prediastole is an integral part of the cardiac cycle, occurring after systole (the phase of contraction) and before diastole (the phase of relaxation and filling). It helps regulate the overall functioning of the heart, maintaining a coordinated rhythm and efficient blood circulation throughout the body.
Understanding prediastole is essential in diagnosing and evaluating cardiac conditions such as abnormal heart rhythms, heart failure, or other disorders affecting the efficiency of the cardiac cycle. It allows healthcare professionals to assess the timing, duration, and effectiveness of each phase of the cardiac cycle, aiding in the formulation of appropriate treatment plans and interventions.
The interval in the cardiac rhythm immediately preceding the diastole.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "prediastole" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "pre-" meaning before, and "diastole" meaning relaxation.
In Greek, "diastole" (διαστολή) refers to the relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle, in which the heart muscle relaxes and expands, allowing it to fill with blood. The prefix "pre-" denotes something that occurs before or prior to another event. Therefore, "prediastole" relates to an action or condition that happens before diastole, or before the relaxation of the heart muscle.