contractility

American  

[kon-trak-til-i-tee] / ˌkɒn trækˈtɪl ɪ ti /

noun

1. the property, as of muscle or other tissue, of being able to contract, or draw itself together, reducing its dimensions.

   Improvements in the contractility of the heart can be measured by a number of different methods to determine how much blood the heart pumps with each beat.

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Etymology

Origin of contractility

First recorded in 1710–20; contractil(e) ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Example Sentences

"Even partial restoration of the connection between the right vagus nerve and the heart is sufficient to counteract the mechanisms of remodelling and preserve effective cardiac contractility," adds Anar Dushpanova, cardiologist at TrancriLab.

From Science Daily • Jan. 1, 2026

Here, the number of cells with a high cortical contractility decreased during tumor progression.

From Science Daily • May 7, 2024

Later, foxglove was found to contain digitalis, a drug that increases heart contractility.

From Washington Post • Nov. 11, 2013

Figure 19.34 Major Factors Influencing Stroke Volume Multiple factors impact preload, afterload, and contractility, and are the major considerations influencing SV.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Will the new issue have sufficient contractility to meet this need?

From Readings in Money and Banking Selected and Adapted by Phillips, Chester Arthur