Question:medium
The 'c' wave of the jugular venous pulse (JVP) is seen during which phase of the cardiac cycle?
The 'c' wave of the jugular venous pulse (JVP) is seen during which phase of the cardiac cycle?
Show Hint
The closed tricuspid valve bulges into the right atrium as ventricular pressure spikes.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Isovolumetric contraction
- Slow filling at end of diastole
- End of systole
- Start of diastole
Show Solution
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Map each JVP wave to its mechanical trigger. The atrial pressure tracing shows $a$ (atrial systole), $c$ (early ventricular systole), and $v$ (late ventricular systole) peaks.
Step 2: Focus on what happens immediately after the tricuspid valve shuts. As the right ventricle begins to contract with all valves closed, intraventricular pressure climbs rapidly while volume stays fixed - this is the isovolumetric contraction phase.
Step 3: That rising pressure shoves the dome of the closed tricuspid valve upward into the right atrium, transiently raising atrial pressure and inscribing the $c$ wave.
Step 4: Cross-check the distractors. End of systole gives the $v$ wave from venous return piling up behind the shut valve; start of diastole begins the $y$ descent as the valve reopens; the slow end-diastolic filling does not generate a positive deflection. Hence the timing of the $c$ wave is isovolumetric contraction. \[\boxed{\text{Isovolumetric contraction}}\]
Step 2: Focus on what happens immediately after the tricuspid valve shuts. As the right ventricle begins to contract with all valves closed, intraventricular pressure climbs rapidly while volume stays fixed - this is the isovolumetric contraction phase.
Step 3: That rising pressure shoves the dome of the closed tricuspid valve upward into the right atrium, transiently raising atrial pressure and inscribing the $c$ wave.
Step 4: Cross-check the distractors. End of systole gives the $v$ wave from venous return piling up behind the shut valve; start of diastole begins the $y$ descent as the valve reopens; the slow end-diastolic filling does not generate a positive deflection. Hence the timing of the $c$ wave is isovolumetric contraction. \[\boxed{\text{Isovolumetric contraction}}\]
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