What is part of the conduction system heart?

The conduction system of the heart consists of specialized cardiac muscle cells that generate and transmit electrical impulses to coordinate the contraction and relaxation of the heart chambers. These specialized cells are known as autorhythmic cells or pacemaker cells.

The following are the main components of the conduction system:

1. Sinoatrial node (SA node):

- The SA node is located in the right atrium, near the opening of the superior vena cava.

- It is the primary pacemaker of the heart and generates the electrical impulses that initiate each heartbeat.

2. Atrioventricular node (AV node):

- The AV node is located at the junction of the atria and ventricles, near the coronary sinus.

- It delays the electrical impulses slightly before they reach the ventricles, allowing the atria to fill completely before the ventricles contract.

3. Atrioventricular bundle (bundle of His):

- The bundle of His is a bundle of fibers that extends from the AV node and divides into the left bundle branch and the right bundle branch.

- It conducts the electrical impulses from the AV node to the ventricles.

4. Left and right bundle branches:

- The left and right bundle branches run along the inner surface of the left and right ventricles.

5. Purkinje fibers:

- The Purkinje fibers are the terminal branches of the left and right bundle branches.

- They spread the electrical impulses rapidly and directly to the myocardial cells of the ventricles, causing the ventricles to contract in a coordinated manner.