Which of the following definitions accurately describes cardiac output?
The amount of blood accumulated in the atrium before contraction.
The quantity of blood gathered in the ventricles during relaxation.
The volume of blood propelled from the atrium to the ventricles during contraction.
The quantity of blood expelled from the ventricles into the aorta and pulmonary artery.
Cardiac output refers to the amount of blood pumped out of the ventricles of the heart per unit of time, typically measured in liters per minute. It represents the volume of blood ejected from the ventricles and delivered into the systemic circulation (aorta) and pulmonary circulation (pulmonary artery). Therefore, option 4 accurately describes cardiac output.