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Heart Sounds and Cardiac Cycle

Jun 30, 2025

Overview

This lecture explains the origins of heart sounds ("lub dub") by focusing on heart valves and the cardiac cycle, including systole and diastole.

Heart Chambers and Blood Flow

  • The heart has four chambers: right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle.
  • Blood flows from the right atrium → right ventricle → lungs → left atrium → left ventricle.
  • Blood moves simultaneously on both sides through coordinated cycles.

Heart Valves and Their Roles

  • The heart contains four valves: tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic valves.
  • Tricuspid and mitral valves are open during ventricular filling; pulmonary and aortic are closed.
  • Valves prevent backflow by closing in response to incorrect flow direction.

Origin of Heart Sounds (Lub Dub)

  • When ventricles are full and the tricuspid/mitral valves close, the first heart sound (S1 or "lub") is produced.
  • Closure of these valves prevents blood from moving backward into the atria.
  • After ventricular contraction, the aortic and pulmonary valves close, producing the second heart sound (S2 or "dub").
  • Closure of these valves prevents backflow from arteries into the ventricles.

Timing in the Cardiac Cycle

  • The interval between S1 (lub) and S2 (dub) is called systole, when the heart pumps blood out.
  • The interval between S2 (dub) and the next S1 (lub) is called diastole, when the heart refills with blood.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Tricuspid valve — separates right atrium from right ventricle.
  • Pulmonary valve — separates right ventricle from pulmonary artery.
  • Mitral valve — separates left atrium from left ventricle.
  • Aortic valve — separates left ventricle from aorta.
  • S1 (First heart sound/lub) — sound made by closure of tricuspid and mitral valves.
  • S2 (Second heart sound/dub) — sound made by closure of aortic and pulmonary valves.
  • Systole — phase when ventricles contract and pump blood out.
  • Diastole — phase when ventricles relax and fill with blood.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Review diagrams of the heart to identify all four chambers and valves.
  • Practice labeling the timing of S1 and S2 on a cardiac cycle diagram.