What is the conduction process of the heart?

Cardiac conduction is the rate at which the heart conducts electrical impulses. These impulses cause the heart to contract and then relax. The constant cycle of heart muscle contraction followed by relaxation causes blood to be pumped throughout the body.

What are the conduction cells of the heart?

This group of muscle cells is called the cardiac conduction system. The main parts of the system are the SA node, AV node, bundle of HIS, bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers. Let’s follow a signal through the contraction process. The SA node starts the sequence by causing the atrial muscles to contract.

What nervous system controls the conduction system of the heart?

The change in rate (chronotropism), contractility (inotropism), and conduction (dromotropism) are regulated by the autonomic nervous system. The supraventricular heart is innervated by both sympathetic and parasympathetic (vagal) fibers of the autonomic nervous system.

What is the major nerve supply to the cardiac conduction system?

The extrinsic supply is from parasympathetic (from the vagus nerve) and sympathetic nerves from both the superficial and deep cardiac plexuses, which provide post-ganglionic fibers to the sinoatrial (SA) and atrioventricular (AV) nodes, as well as other parts of the cardiac conduction system.

How does the conduction system of the heart work?

These cells can also propagate and, on occasion, generate electrical impulses. Both conducting and specialised muscle cells form the hearts conduction system and orchestrate cardiac contraction. The electrical system is intrinsic to the heart meaning that contraction can persist in the absence of neuronal input.

What causes problems in the cardiac conduction system?

Cardiac Conduction System Disorders. Disorders of the heart’s conduction system can cause problems with the heart’s ability to function effectively. These problems are typically the result of a blockage that diminishes the rate of speed at which impulses are conducted.

Where does the cardiac conduction pathway take place?

CARDIAC CONDUCTION PATHWAY. The AV bundle is within the upper interventricular septum; it receives impulses from the AV node and transmits them to the right and left bundle branches. From the bundle branches, impulses travel along Purkinje fibers to the rest of the ventricular myocardium and bring about ventricular systole.

How does the vagal stimulation affect cardiac conduction?

Physiology of Cardiac Conduction. The vagal stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system can cause a decrease in the rate at the SA node and can also decrease the excitability of the AV junction fibers. This causes a slowing of the heart rate, and in severe cases a complete blockage of the impulse through the AV junction.