Which phase of the cardiac cycle corresponds to the heart filling with blood while relaxing?

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Multiple Choice

Which phase of the cardiac cycle corresponds to the heart filling with blood while relaxing?

Explanation:
During diastole, the ventricles relax and their pressure falls below that of the atria, allowing blood to flow from the atria into the ventricles. This relaxation phase includes rapid passive filling, followed by slower filling, and ends with the atria contracting to push any remaining blood into the ventricles. Because the question describes filling that occurs while the heart is relaxing, diastole is the phase that fits best. In contrast, systole is when the ventricles contract to eject blood, and the isovolumetric contraction phase involves ventricle contraction with all valves closed, so no filling occurs then.

During diastole, the ventricles relax and their pressure falls below that of the atria, allowing blood to flow from the atria into the ventricles. This relaxation phase includes rapid passive filling, followed by slower filling, and ends with the atria contracting to push any remaining blood into the ventricles. Because the question describes filling that occurs while the heart is relaxing, diastole is the phase that fits best. In contrast, systole is when the ventricles contract to eject blood, and the isovolumetric contraction phase involves ventricle contraction with all valves closed, so no filling occurs then.

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