Tag: atrioventricular node

The cardiac cycle represents the sequence of events that occur in the heart during one complete heartbeat, encompassing both mechanical and electrical activities. This intricate process ensures efficient blood circulation throughout the body, involving coordinated contractions and relaxations of the atria and ventricles. By examining the relationship between the cardiac cycle and the electrocardiogram (ECG), we gain valuable insights into heart function, which is essential for diagnosing and understanding cardiovascular health. The ECG waveform visually captures the electrical impulses that trigger these mechanical events, providing a non-invasive window into cardiac physiology.

The heart’s rhythmic beating is governed by a precise electrical conduction system, depicted step-by-step in this informative diagram. This image traces the process from the sinoatrial (SA) node initiating an action potential to the ventricular contractile fibers contracting, including key stages like the atrioventricular (AV) node delay and the role of the moderator band. Delving into this diagram offers a comprehensive view of how electrical impulses coordinate the heart’s pumping action to sustain circulation.

The heart’s ability to beat rhythmically depends on its specialized conduction system, a network that coordinates electrical impulses for efficient pumping. This anterior view of a frontal section diagram illustrates key components such as the sinoatrial node, internodal pathways, atrioventricular node, atrioventricular bundle, right bundle branch, left bundle branch, and Purkinje fibers, offering a clear view of how these structures regulate cardiac activity. Exploring this image provides a deeper understanding of the electrical framework that sustains circulation.