Conducting system of heart
Complexus stimulans cordis
- Latin synonym: Complexus stimulans cordis
- Synonym: Systema conducens cordis
Definition
The conducting system of heart (electrical conduction) in the heart allows the impulse that is generated by the sinoatrial node (SA node) of the heart to be propagated to (and stimulate) the cardiac muscle (myocardium).
Signals arising in the SA node (located in the right atrium) stimulate the atria to contract and travel to the AV node, which is located in the interatrial septum. After a delay, the stimulus diverges and is conducted through the left and right bundle of His to the respective Purkinje fibers for each side of the heart, as well as to the endocardium at the apex of the heart, then finally to the ventricular epicardium.
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