ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -The SA node starts the sequence by causing the atrial muscles to contract. That’s why doctors sometimes call it the anatomical pacemaker. Next, the signal travels to the AV node, through the bundle of HIS, down the bundle branches, and through the Purkinje fibers, causing the ventricles to contract.

Detailed explanation-2: -Movement of ions across cell membranes causes these events. The cardiac conduction system (and AV node part of it) coordinates myocyte mechanical activity. A wave of excitation spreads out from the sinoatrial node through the atria along specialized conduction channels. This activates the AV node.

Detailed explanation-3: -The SA (sinoatrial) node generates an electrical signal that causes the upper heart chambers (atria) to contract. The signal then passes through the AV (atrioventricular) node to the lower heart chambers (ventricles), causing them to contract, or pump.

Detailed explanation-4: -The AV node slows the impulses from the SA node, firing at a normal rate of 40-60 bpm, and causes depolarization of the ventricular muscle tissue and ventricular contraction. Sympathetic nervous stimulation increases the heart rate, while parasympathetic nervous stimulation decreases the heart rate.

Detailed explanation-5: -The sinus node sends electrical signals that typically start each heartbeat. These electrical signals move across the atria, causing the heart muscles to squeeze (contract) and pump blood into the ventricles.