The problem of electrical discontinuity caused in the normal heart by ...
Solution:
The connective tissue separating the atria from the ventricles is called the atrioventricular (AV) node. This node acts as an electrical insulator and prevents electrical signals from directly passing between the atria and ventricles. This separation is necessary for the normal functioning of the heart, as it allows the atria to contract first, pumping blood into the ventricles before they contract and pump blood out of the heart.
To overcome this electrical discontinuity, the heart has a specialized conducting system that connects the atria and ventricles and coordinates their electrical activity. This system starts with the sinoatrial (SA) node, located in the right atrium, which acts as the primary pacemaker of the heart. The electrical signals generated by the SA node spread through the atria, causing them to contract.
The electrical signals then pass through the AV node, which slows down the conduction of the signal, allowing the ventricles time to fill with blood. After a brief delay, the electrical signals pass through the bundle of His, a specialized bundle of fibers that divides into the left and right bundle branches, which then spread through the ventricles and cause them to contract.
Coordinating electrical activity in the atria with electrical activity in the ventricles by connecting them via the bundle of His:
The bundle of His is a specialized group of cells that conducts electrical impulses from the atria to the ventricles. It is an essential part of the heart's electrical conduction system and helps coordinate the contraction of the atria and ventricles. The bundle of His is located in the interventricular septum and divides into the left and right bundle branches, which then spread through the ventricles and cause them to contract. By connecting the electrical activity in the atria with the electrical activity in the ventricles via the bundle of His, the electrical discontinuity caused by the connective tissue separating the atria from the ventricles is solved.
The problem of electrical discontinuity caused in the normal heart by ...
A-V node functions as a secondary pacemaker because when the wave of contraction originating from the sinoatrial node reaches the atrioventricular node (AV node – pace setter), the latter is stimulated and excitatory impulses are rapidly transmitted from it to all parts of the ventricles to contract simultaneously. The ventricles force blood through long system of arteries and hence must exert great pressure on the blood.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed NEET study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in NEET.