During a normal cardiac cycle, the 'a' wave of the jugular venous pulse corresponds to which event?

• A Right ventricular isovolumetric contraction bulging the tricuspid valve
• B Atrial filling during ventricular systole
• C Tricuspid valve closure at the onset of ventricular systole
• D Atrial contraction against a closed tricuspid valve ✓

Explanation

The 'a' wave results from atrial contraction (end of diastole), which propels blood into the ventricle and causes a back-pressure wave in the venous system. It occurs just before the first heart sound. The 'c' wave corresponds to tricuspid bulging during isovolumetric contraction, the 'v' wave to venous filling during ventricular systole, and the 'x' descent to atrial relaxation.

Reference: Guyton & Hall, Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14th ed.

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