Frank-Starling Law

Frank-Starling Law

To the tune of “Traitor” by Olivia Rodrigo

[Verse 1]
Frank-Starling’s Law
It coordinates all
Output of both sides of the heart
Muscle lengthening
Caused by increased filling
It increases the contraction force

[Pre-Chorus] 
Compensation
Occurs up to the
Optimum length of sarcomeres
Decompensation
Occurs after this point
And contractions get much weaker

[Chorus] 
Venous return
Is affected by so many factors
Which all change EDV
The greater the ventricular filling
The stronger the force and contractility
Of the ventricle which ensures the heart pumps
All that it receives and maintains cardiac output

 [Verse 2]
An explanation
Is the length-tension
Relationship in striated muscle
The functional range
And plateau phase
Is much greater in cardiac muscle

 [Pre-Chorus]
In addition
Stretch increases release
Of calcium from T-tubules
Stretch increases
The affinity of
Troponin C for calcium

[Chorus] 
Venous return
Is affected by so many factors
Which all change EDV
The greater the ventricular filling
The stronger the force and contractility
Of the ventricle which ensures the heart pumps
All that it receives and maintains cardiac output

[Bridge] 
The limit set by pericardium
Normally prevents decompensation
Decompensation will be
In people with heart disease

[Chorus] 
Venous return
Is affected by so many factors
Which all change EDV
The greater the ventricular filling
The stronger the force and contractility
Of the ventricle which ensures the heart pumps
All that it receives and maintains cardiac output

[Outro]
The limit set by pericardium
Normally prevents decompensation