The electrical conduction system of the heart is made up of a set of nodes whose function is to initiate and regulate the contraction of the heart. According to Health Wise Staff (2019), this system is what controls the heart beat through the regulation of the heart rhythm and heart rate. When at rest this system helps maintain a heart rate of 60-100 beats per minute. When someone is undertaking physical activities it increases the heartrate and when someone is asleep it reduces the heart rate. The electrical signal starts with a collection of cells that are called the sinoatrial node (SA node). This node transmits a message through the heart, which then alerts the right and left atria. The atria proceed to contract using the muscles found there, and this results in the pumping of blood into the right and left ventricles. The electrical signal then reaches the atrioventricular node (AV node). The AV makes the electrical signal slow down in order to allow the ventricle to receive the blood that was being pumped. The signal now travels in what is known as a bundle of His that are a bundle of conduction cells. This separates the signal in two branches, one branch is directed to the left and the other to the right. These branches are further split it up into what is called purkinje fibers, also known as conducting fibers. These fibers are spread the signal all through the right and left ventricles which causes them to contract. This contraction leads to the right ventricle pumping blood to the lungs, whilst the ventricle on the left is what is in charge of expelling blood to other parts of the body.
Below is a mnemonic to remember the important parts of the electrical system.
Sinoatrial node (SA node): Sweets Are Nice
Atrioventricular node (AV node). Angry Violent Nobles
bundle of HiS: Beautiful Occupants Hurried
Bundle branches: Bleached Bananas
Purkinje fibers: Pickled Fruits
Adjective to describe an electrical conduction system is a pacemaker.
Reference
Health wise Staff. (2019, Dec). Electrical System of the Heart. https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/te7147abc
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
