Describe the pathway of the action potential through the cardiac conduction system

What will be an ideal response?


Under normal conditions, the sinoatrial (SA) node generates an action potential that spreads to the atrioventricular (AV) node. Conduction slows once the action potential reaches the AV node and bundle due to a low number of gap junctions between AV nodal cells and the presence of nonconducting fibrous skeleton that surrounds the AV node. During this time, the atria depolarize and contract before the ventricles, giving the ventricles time to fill with blood. The action potential is conducted from the AV bundle to the right and left bundle branches. Depolarization spreads to the Purkinje fibers and then to the cardiac contractile muscle cells of the ventricles. As a result, the ventricles contract and blood is ejected from the heart through the aorta and pulmonary trunk.

Anatomy & Physiology

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Anatomy & Physiology