What physiological change occurs during systole in relation to coronary blood flow?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the physiological changes that happen during systole, specifically how these changes affect coronary blood flow. To answer it, we need to understand the relationship between the heart's contraction phase (systole) and the blood flow in the coronary arteries.
Answer
Coronary blood flow diminishes during systole.
During systole, myocardial contraction increases intraventricular and intramyocardial pressures, which compresses the coronary arteries and diminishes coronary blood flow.
Answer for screen readers
During systole, myocardial contraction increases intraventricular and intramyocardial pressures, which compresses the coronary arteries and diminishes coronary blood flow.
More Information
Coronary perfusion primarily occurs during diastole because the heart muscle is relaxed, allowing better blood flow through the coronary arteries. Systole compresses these arteries, reducing blood flow.
Tips
A common mistake is assuming that coronary blood flow increases during systole due to the heart's active contraction.
Sources
- Coronary blood flow - ScienceDirect - sciencedirect.com
- Physiology, Cardiac Cycle - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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