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The pacemaker of the heart is a bundle of cells that tells the heart when to beat. These cells are connected to the rest of the cells of the heart and communicate with them through electrical signals. The pacemaker cells set the pace (or rate) of the heartbeat.
The actual structure that serves as the heart's primary pacemaker is called the sinoatrial node (SA node). As described above, the SA node is a little bundle of cells located in the wall of the right atrium, the small upper chamber on the right side of the heart.
What if the SA node is knocked out for some reason? There are actually other regions of the heart that can act as pacemakers. These regions are known as latent pacemakers and include the atrioventricular node (AV node) and other cells that make up the electrical communication system of the heart (including special cells that make up the so-called Purkinje fibers of the heart). Even the cells that make up the large ventricles of the heart can set the pace of the heart.
Interestingly, each of the pacemakers described above has a different inherent rate that it "wants" the heart to beat at. For example, the SA node gets excited spontaneously at a rate of about 100 per minute. Some of the latent pacemakers might spontaneously get excited at a rate of 65 per minute or 45 per minute.
If that's the case, then wouldn't the heart just beat chaotically? How is it possible that the heart beats in a regular way with all of these different pacemakers lying around?
The reason is that under normal circumstances, only the SA node is active; all of the other latent pacemakers are basically inactive. Now, should the SA node fail, the AV node can take over. Likewise, if the AV node fails, cells that make up the Purkinje fibers can take over. And if even they fail, then the ventricular cells can take over as a last resort. There's lots of redundancy for this all-important organ.
Another type of pacemaker is the type that gets implanted by physicians. In patients with abnormal heart rates or rhythms, an artificial pacemaker can be implanted. These pacemakers serve the same purpose as the natural pacemakers of the heart: they control the regular rate and rhythm of the heart.
What else can I help you with?
What is considered the pacemaker of the heart?
The sinoatrial node is considered the pacemaker of the heart.
Where is the Natural pacemaker?
The SA node, the natural pacemaker of the heart, is found in the right atrium of the heart.
Is the bundle of his is known as the natural pacemaker of the heart?
No, the Sinoatrial Node is known as the natural pacemaker of the heart
What is the back-up pacemaker of the heart?
The sinoatrial node is known as the pacemaker of the heart.
Is a pacemaker a group of cells located in the left atrium?
A pacemaker is a device inserted into the heart to regulate the heart beats or heart rate
Where is located the pacemaker?
The pacemaker is located on the outside of the right atrium.
What is the technical term for your pacemaker?
The heart's "pacemaker" is the SA (sinoatrial) node.
How can electricity help you with your pacemaker?
A pacemaker delivers an electric stimulus to the heart.
What property makes the normal pacemaker region of the heart function as a pacemaker?
The property of the normal pacemaker region is able to provide a normal setting for the heart to beat. It allows the heart to beat at a regular rate.
What is the Role of artificial pacemaker in heart if patient has a heart disease?
Pacemaker help to normalize the electrical impulses conductance of the heart. usually people with pacemaker has an abnormal impulse originated from their SA node. so, the pacemaker is placed so that the heart can contract at a normal rate and thus prevent arrhythmia.
Why the sino atria node is regarded as a pacemaker in the heart?
The sinoatrial, or SA, node is known as the pacemaker of the heart. There are other potential pacemakers if the SA node fails, but it is the main pacemaker.
What is the function of your natural pacemaker?
The contraction of heart (cardiac) muscle in all animals with hearts is initiated by chemical impulses. The rate at which these impulses fire controls the heart rate. The cells that create these rhythmical impulses are called pacemaker cells, and they directly control the heart rate.
