Diastole

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

IPA: /daɪˈæstəli/, /ˈdaɪəstoʊli/

Definitions

• The phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes and allows the chambers to fill with blood.
• A rhythmic expansion or dilation, often used in poetry to describe metrical variations.

Usage Examples

• The doctor measured the patient’s blood pressure during both systole and diastole.
• In classical poetry, diastole is sometimes used to alter the natural pronunciation of a word for metrical purposes.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek διαστολή (diastolḗ), meaning "separation, expansion," derived from διαστέλλειν (diastéllein), meaning "to expand, to separate."

Synonyms

• Relaxation phase
• Expansion

Antonyms

• Systole
• Contraction

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

American English: /daɪˈæstəli/

British English: /ˈdaɪəstoʊli/

Historical Usage

The term "diastole" has been used in medical contexts since the early 17th century to describe the relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle.

Cultural Nuances

Diastole is crucial in medical diagnostics, particularly in measuring blood pressure, where the diastolic reading represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest.

More Information

Diastole plays a vital role in cardiovascular health, ensuring proper blood circulation and oxygenation of tissues. Its counterpart, systole, represents the contraction phase of the heart cycle. Understanding both is essential for diagnosing and treating heart conditions.