Question

In order for the aortic semilunar valve to open and blood to be ejected into the aorta, the pressure inside the left ventricle must be what??

(A) Greater than aortic pressure
(B) Equal to aortic pressure
(C) Less than aortic pressure

Answer 1

The pressure inside the left ventricle must be greater than the aortic pressure for the aortic semilunar valve to open and allow blood to be ejected into the aorta.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order for the aortic semilunar valve to open and blood to be ejected into the aorta, the pressure inside the left ventricle must be greater than aortic pressure. During the second phase of ventricular systole, known as the ventricular ejection phase, the contraction of the ventricular muscle raises the pressure within the left ventricle higher than that within the aorta. This pressure difference causes the aortic semilunar valve to open, allowing blood to be ejected into the aorta from the left ventricle.