systole

American  

[sis-tuh-lee, -lee] / ˈsɪs təˌli, -li /

noun

1. Physiology. the normal rhythmical contraction of the heart, during which the blood in the chambers is forced onward.

2. Classical Prosody. the shortening of a syllable regularly long.

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systole British  

/ sɪˈstɒlɪk, ˈsɪstəlɪ /

noun

1. contraction of the heart, during which blood is pumped into the aorta and the arteries that lead to the lungs Compare diastole

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systole Scientific  

/ sĭs′tə-lē /

1. The period during the normal beating of the heart in which the chambers of the heart, especially the ventricles, contract to force blood into the aorta and pulmonary artery.

2. Compare diastole

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• systolic
  adjective
• presystole
  noun

Etymology

Origin of systole

1570–80; < Greek systolḗ a drawing up, contraction, equivalent to sy- sy- + stolḗ pressure, originally, garment, equipment, equivalent to stol- (noun derivative of stéllein to send, place) + -ē feminine noun suffix; cf. diastole, systaltic

Explanation

During a heartbeat, the heart contracts and pumps blood into the aorta, a phase known as systole. In Greek, systole means "a drawing together or contraction." The rhythmic, repeated contraction of the heart muscle during systole is what allows it to push blood throughout the body. It's also part of what gets measured when you have your blood pressure taken: systolic blood pressure measures the force of the blood as it's being pumped into your arteries.

Example Sentences

They are Diastole and Systole, from whence proceed two several Motions, the first whereof is that of Dilatation, and the other of Contraction, communicated to all the Arteries which have the same Pulse.

From The Compleat Surgeon or, the whole Art of Surgery explain'd in a most familiar Method. by Le Clerc, Charles Gabriel

It is deriv'd from the Heart, and exactly answers to its Motion of Diastole and Systole.

From The Compleat Surgeon or, the whole Art of Surgery explain'd in a most familiar Method. by Le Clerc, Charles Gabriel

Could see the small stars tremble As the heart beneath did wield Systole, diastole.

From New Poems by Lawrence, D. H. (David Herbert)

Diastole and Systole are not mere arbitrary processes.

From New Latin Grammar by Bennett, Charles E. (Charles Edwin)

Diastole, dī-as′to-lē, n. dilation of the heart, auricles, and arteries—opp. to Systole, or contraction of the same: the protracting of a short syllable, as before a pause.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various