The atrioventricular (AV) node which is located in the right atrium. From there is travels down the septum, also called the atrioventricular bundle, and then spreads to all parts of the ventricles via the Purkinje fibers.
Fibers of the conduction system of the heart is called Purkinje fibers
The cardiac conduction system is the conducting system of the heart.
Sa node
Normal impulse conduction
The atrioventricular node and the bundle of HIS are the electrical conduction link between the atria and the ventricles.
Sinoatrial (SA) Node
pacemaker cells
The SA node (Sinoatrial node) sets the pace for the heart as a whole because no other region of the conduction system or the myocardium has a faster depolarization rate. For this reason, it is the heart's pacemaker.
The sinoatrial (SA) node has the fastest intrinsic rate in the cardiac conduction system, typically firing at a rate of 60-100 beats per minute in a healthy heart. It serves as the primary pacemaker of the heart, initiating each heartbeat by generating electrical impulses.
SAN >internodal pathway> AVN> AV/Hiss bundle> bundle branches> purkinje fibres
The atrioventricular (AV) node is a critical component of the heart's conduction system, responsible for regulating the timing of electrical signals between the atria and ventricles. However, it does not work directly with sensory cells in arteries to regulate the pacemaker. Instead, the primary pacemaker of the heart is the sinoatrial (SA) node, which generates electrical impulses that initiate heartbeats. Sensory cells in arteries, such as baroreceptors, help regulate blood pressure and heart rate indirectly by sending signals to the central nervous system, which can influence the heart's pacemaker activity.
Radiation, Conduction, and Convection.
The characteristic specific to the pacemaker sites of the electrical conduction system, such as the sinoatrial (SA) node, is their ability to generate spontaneous action potentials due to a unique set of ion channels. These specialized cells have a higher resting membrane potential and exhibit automaticity, allowing them to depolarize and initiate electrical impulses without external stimulation. This intrinsic rhythmicity is crucial for maintaining the heart's regular beating pattern.
In a normal heart, the sinoatrial (SA) node sets the pace of contraction as it acts as the primary pacemaker. Located in the right atrium, the SA node generates electrical impulses that initiate each heartbeat, prompting the atria to contract. These impulses then travel to the atrioventricular (AV) node, which conducts the signals to the ventricles, ensuring coordinated contractions throughout the heart. This intrinsic conduction system allows for a rhythmic and effective pumping action.
The bundle of His and the Purkinje fibres are part of the conduction system of the heart. In order to pump blood around the body, the heart muscle must contract (atria first to fill the ventricles, then ventricles contract to send the blood around the body.) The conduction system starts in the sinoatrial node (SA node) which is also known as the hearts natural pacemaker and is located at the top of the right atrium. The impulse is then sent to the atrioventricular node (AV node) located by the junction between the atria and ventricles. The next part of the conduction system is the bundle of His which sends the impulse from the atria to the ventricles. The purkinje fibres then spread through the ventricles. As the impulse passes through each part of the conduction system, that part of the heart is excited and the heart muscle contracts, which gives the pumping action of the heart.
Conduction
Furkinje Fibers