During ventricular diastole, which statement is true?

During ventricular diastole, which statement is true?

• A. Ventricles are relaxed and filling with blood
• B. Ventricles are contracting
• C. Atria contract to push blood into ventricles
• D. Semilunar valves open

Answer: (A)

During ventricular diastole the heart's ventricles are relaxing after pumping, which allows them to fill with blood from the atria. The semilunar valves remain closed to prevent backflow into the ventricles, while the atrioventricular valves are open to permit blood to flow in. The major event of this phase is the ventricles filling, not contracting or ejecting blood. Atrial contraction to top off ventricular filling can occur toward the end of diastole, but the defining feature of this phase is ventricular relaxation and filling. That’s why the statement that ventricles are relaxed and filling with blood is true.

During ventricular diastole the heart's ventricles are relaxing after pumping, which allows them to fill with blood from the atria. The semilunar valves remain closed to prevent backflow into the ventricles, while the atrioventricular valves are open to permit blood to flow in. The major event of this phase is the ventricles filling, not contracting or ejecting blood. Atrial contraction to top off ventricular filling can occur toward the end of diastole, but the defining feature of this phase is ventricular relaxation and filling. That’s why the statement that ventricles are relaxed and filling with blood is true.