Conduction System of the Heart Steps
The heart’s electrical system, also known as the conduction system, coordinates the rhythmic contractions of the heart muscle. This system generates electrical impulses that travel through specialized tissues, triggering contractions in a specific sequence. The electrical system of heart has the following steps:
- Sinoatrial (SA) Node Activation:
- The SA node, located in the right atrium. It acts as the heart’s natural pacemaker.
- This impulse spreads through the walls of the atria, causing them to contract and push blood into the ventricles.
- Atrioventricular (AV) Node Delay:
- The electrical impulse reaches the AV node, situated between the atria and ventricles.
- The AV node delays the impulse slightly to ensure the ventricles have enough time to fill with blood from the atria.
- Transmission through the Bundle of His:
- The impulse travels from the AV node to the bundle of His, a group of specialized muscle fibers.
- The bundle of His transmits the electrical signal to the bundle branches.
- Division into Right and Left Bundle Branches:
- The electrical signal divides into the right and left bundle branches.
- These branches run along the interventricular septum, carrying the impulse towards the apex of the heart.
- Distribution by Purkinje Fibers:
- The impulse reaches the Purkinje fibers, which are spread throughout the ventricular walls.
- The Purkinje fibers distribute the electrical signal to the ventricular muscle cells, causing the ventricles to contract.
- Ventricular Contraction:
- The right ventricle contracts, pumping blood to the lungs for oxygenation.
- The left ventricle contracts, pumping oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body.
Electricity travels down and then spreads out at the heart’s bottom. The electricity then travels upward and along the heart’s outer areas. This is how the heart moves blood up and out of the body.
Anatomy and Functions of Heart’s Electrical System
The heart electrical system controls the heartbeat by sending electrical signals through the heart, coordinating the contraction and relaxation of the heart muscles. The conduction system of the heart controls the electrical impulses that coordinate the heartbeat.
Understanding the heart electrical system pathways and the conduction system of the heart flowchart helps us comprehend how the heart beats and maintains a regular rhythm. In this article, we will cover the conduction system of the heart in detail.
Table of Content
- Heart Electrical System – Conduction System of the Heart
- Conduction System of the Heart Steps
- Conduction System of the Heart and Cardiac Cycle
- Heart Electrical System Problem
- Functions of Heart Electrical System
- Conclusion – Heart Electrical System
- FAQs on Conduction System of the Heart