Definition for Ventricular filling

From Biology Forums Dictionary

Ventricular filling is when the ventricular expand and the pressure falls below that of the atria. This leads to the Atrio-Ventricular (AV) valves to open and blood rushes into the ventricles. The ventricular pressure rises and the atrial pressure falls. This ventricular filling occurs in three phases:

  • Rapid Ventricular filling
  • Diastasis - slow filling (P wave on ECG occurs at end of this slow filling).
  • Atrial Systole - Contraction of the atrium. The right atrium contracts slightly before the left atrium.

As the ventricles fill, the valve leaflets move to the closed position.

The End Diastolic Volume = 130 ml, where as only 40 ml is contributed by the atrial systol.