CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What is the typical conclusion of diastole in the cardiac cycle?

1. Prevention of backflow

2. Filling of the ventricles

3. Blood ejection

4. Opening of the heart valves

The correct answer is: Filling of the ventricles

The conclusion of diastole in the cardiac cycle is characterized primarily by the filling of the ventricles. During diastole, the heart muscle relaxes after contraction (systole) and allows the chambers of the heart, particularly the ventricles, to fill with blood from the atria. As the atria contract at the end of diastole, they push additional blood into the ventricles, ensuring that they have adequate volume before the next contraction. This phase is crucial in maintaining efficient heart function, as it ensures that the ventricles are filled to the optimal levels with blood, preparing them for the next phase of the cardiac cycle, which is systole, where blood is ejected from the ventricles into the arteries. In this context, focus is placed on maximizing ventricular filling to ensure proper cardiac output during the subsequent contraction.