4 Conduction System

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the cardiac conduction system.

Diastole

The period of relaxation of the heart, allowing it to fill with blood.

Systole

The period of contraction of the heart, allowing it to pump blood out.

Pacemaker Cells

Specialized cardiac muscle cells that generate their own action potentials and set the rhythmic pace for the heartbeat.

Sinoatrial Node (SA Node)

A specialized region in the wall of the right atrium that generates action potentials and initiates each heartbeat.

Atrioventricular Node (AV Node)

The junction point between the atria and ventricles that slightly delays the action potential to allow for proper filling of the ventricles.

Bundle of His

Also known as the AV bundle; a pathway that conducts action potentials from the AV node to the right and left bundle branches.

Purkinje Fibers

Small conducting fibers that extend from the bundle branches into the ventricular myocardium, causing the ventricles to contract.

Electrical Rhythm

The heart's ability to generate its own rhythm without external stimulation.

Internodal Branches

Pathways that conduct the action potential between the SA node and the AV node.

Interatrial Bundle (Backman's Bundle)

Conducts the action potential from the SA node to the left atrium.