What is the Role of the Conducting System in the Heart?
The heart's conducting system is responsible for initiating and propagating electrical impulses that trigger cardiac muscle contraction. Key components include:
- Sinoatrial (SA) Node: Located in the right atrium, this node acts as the natural pacemaker of the heart, initiating electrical impulses that spread through the atria.
- Atrioventricular (AV) Node: Situated at the junction between the atria and ventricles, the AV node delays the electrical impulse, allowing the atria to contract before the ventricles.
- Bundle of His and Purkinje Fibers: These structures conduct the impulse rapidly through the ventricles, ensuring coordinated contraction.
