Today we'll study something interesting. We want to peep into our hearts and see what really happens each time we feel our hearts beating. It is called the CARDIAC OR HEART CYCLE. -------------------------------------------------------------------- The Cardiac Cycle. Describes all the activities of the heart through one complete heartbeat; that is through one contraction and relaxation of the ventricles and atria. Phases of the Cardiac Cycle. The cardiac cycle is majorly divided into two known as the systole and diastole. The Diastole is the phase where the atria and ventricles are in a relaxed mode. - During this phase blood is pumped into both straight from the large veins of systemic circulation; ( superior and inferior Vena Cava) and the pulmonary veins. - Blood fills the ventricles passively as both the mitral and tricuspid valves that are at located between the ventricles and atria are lifted. - The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary vein