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Multiple Choice

What occurs during diastole?

Diastole is the relaxation phase of the heart cycle, during which the heart chambers fill with blood. Specifically, the ventricles relax and their pressure falls below that of the atria, so the atrioventricular valves (mitral and tricuspid) are open and blood flows from theatria into the ventricles. The semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonary) remain closed to prevent backflow into the ventricles. A small portion of filling also occurs when the atria contract toward the end of diastole, but the bulk of filling happens during this relaxation period. Therefore, the best description is that the chamber relaxes and fills with blood.

Diastole is the relaxation phase of the heart cycle, during which the heart chambers fill with blood. Specifically, the ventricles relax and their pressure falls below that of the atria, so the atrioventricular valves (mitral and tricuspid) are open and blood flows from theatria into the ventricles. The semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonary) remain closed to prevent backflow into the ventricles. A small portion of filling also occurs when the atria contract toward the end of diastole, but the bulk of filling happens during this relaxation period. Therefore, the best description is that the chamber relaxes and fills with blood.