Heart sounds

Definition

Heart sounds are the noises generated by the beating heart and the resultant flow of blood through it. They are primarily caused by the closing of heart valves and can be heard with a stethoscope.

Related terms

Cardiac Cycle:

The sequence of events in the heart from the beginning of one heartbeat to the beginning of the next, including systole (contraction) and diastole (relaxation).

Systole: The phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood from the chambers into the arteries.

Diastole:

The phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes and allows the chambers to fill with blood