The force exerted against the arterial walls immediately after the heart has contracted is known as ____ pressure.

The term in question relates to the pressure in the arteries that occurs as a direct result of the heart's contraction. When the heart beats, specifically during the phase called systole, it pumps blood into the arteries, causing a peak in pressure. This pressure is maximal right after the heart's ventricles have contracted and is referred to as systolic pressure. Systolic pressure is a critical measurement as it reflects how well the heart is functioning in terms of pumping blood through the arterial system.

In contrast, diastolic pressure refers to the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats, mean pressure is an average of systolic and diastolic pressures over a cardiac cycle, and pulmonary pressure specifically pertains to the pressure within the pulmonary arteries, which supply blood to the lungs. Thus, the correct identification of systolic pressure is pivotal for understanding cardiovascular health, as it provides insights into the force exerted during each heartbeat.