The ________ is directly affected by the exact volume of blood that returns to the right atrium.
A) preload
B) middleload
C) postload
D) afterload

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Preload refers to the amount of stretch placed on the heart muscle fibers just prior to contraction. It is directly affected by the volume of blood that returns to the right atrium, also known as venous return. As the volume of blood returning to the heart increases, the stretch on the muscle fibers also increases, leading to an increase in preload. This ultimately affects the stroke volume and cardiac output of the heart. Middleload and postload are not commonly used terms in cardiology. Afterload refers to the resistance the heart must overcome to eject blood out of the left ventricle and is not directly affected by the volume of blood returning to the right atrium.

The ________ Is Directly Affected by the Exact Volume of Blood