The Cardiac Cycle
Atrial Systole
Muscles of the atria contract
Pressure inside atria increases
Semi-lunar valve in the vena cava and pulmonary vein close
Tricuspid and bicuspid valves open, allowing blood to flow into the ventricles
Blood flows from high to low pressure (atria to ventricles)
Last ~0.1 seconds
Ventricular Systole
Muscles of the ventricles contract
Pressure inside ventricles increases
Tricuspid and Bicuspid valves close
Semi-lunar valves open, allowing blood to flow into the aorta and pulmonary artery
Blood flows from high to low pressure (ventricles to blood vessels)
Last ~0.3 seconds
Diastole
Muscles of the ventricles relax
Pressure inside the ventricles decreases
Semilunar valves close
All heart muscles relax
Blood flows from high to low pressure (blood vessels to atria)
Pressure remains low inside atria and ventricles
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