systole

(sis′tŏ-lē )

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[Gr. systolē, contraction]
Contraction of the chambers of the heart. The myocardial fibers shorten, making the chamber smaller and forcing blood out. In the cardiac cycle, atrial systole precedes ventricular systole, which pumps blood into the aorta and pulmonary artery.
systolic (sis-tol′ik), adj.
SEE: cardiac cycle ; SEE: diastole; SEE: murmur; SEE: presystole

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