ventrikelcontractie

Ventrikelcontractie refers to the contraction of the ventricles of the heart. The ventricles are the two lower chambers of the heart, responsible for pumping blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. This process is a crucial part of the cardiac cycle, enabling the circulation of blood throughout the circulatory system.

The contraction of the ventricles is initiated by electrical impulses originating from the heart's conduction system. Specifically, the impulse travels from the atrioventricular (AV) node to the ventricles via the bundle of His and Purkinje fibers. This electrical stimulation causes the cardiac muscle cells in the ventricular walls to depolarize and contract.

During ventricular contraction, also known as systole, the pressure within the ventricles rises significantly. This increased pressure forces the atrioventricular valves (mitral and tricuspid valves) to close, preventing backflow of blood into the atria. Simultaneously, the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonary valves) are pushed open, allowing blood to be ejected from the ventricles into the pulmonary artery and the aorta, respectively.

The relaxation phase of the ventricles, called diastole, follows contraction. During diastole, the ventricular muscles relax, and the pressure within the chambers decreases. This allows the atrioventricular valves to open, filling the ventricles with blood from the atria, and the semilunar valves to close, preventing backflow from the arteries. The coordinated sequence of ventricular contraction and relaxation ensures efficient blood flow and oxygen delivery to the body's tissues.