Which term refers to the resistance in the arteries that the ventricle must overcome?

The term that refers to the resistance in the arteries that the ventricle must overcome is afterload. Afterload is an important concept in cardiovascular physiology as it represents the pressure against which the heart has to work to eject blood during systole. When the afterload is high, the heart must exert more force to pump blood into the systemic circulation, which can affect cardiac performance and efficiency.

Understanding afterload is crucial for assessing heart function and conditions such as hypertension or heart failure. When the arteries are narrowed or there is increased vascular resistance (often seen in conditions like atherosclerosis), the afterload increases, making it more difficult for the heart to pump effectively. This can lead to various cardiovascular issues as the heart may struggle to meet the body's demands for blood and oxygen.

In contrast, preload refers to the degree of stretch of the heart muscle at the end of diastole, while cardiac output is the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute. Ventricular pressure is a general term that does not specifically describe the resistance the ventricle faces from the arterial system. Thus, afterload is the most appropriate term to indicate the resistance in the arteries affecting the heart's workload.