What exactly causes the sounds heard by a stethoscope

There are 2 sounds heard by a stethoscope, the so called 'lub dub'. The lub being the closing of the atrioventricular valves (i.e. the valves between the atria and the ventricles). This is caused by an increase in pressure in the ventricles due to contraction of the ventricles. The dub is caused by the closing of the semilunar valves (i.e. the valves in the aorta and the pulmonary trunk), which occurs when the ventricles relax and the pressure in the ventricles is lower than in the aorta or pulmonary trunk, hence causing a back flow which shuts the valves and produces the quieter 'dub'.

Answered by John L. Biology tutor

2764 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

What are the different phases of the cell cycle?


Explain what 'water potential' is, and how it relates to bacterial cell death. (3 marks)


What is the purpose and structure of a cell membrane?


Describe how the lac operon works when lactose is both present and absent.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences