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Cardiac Cycle and Cardiac Conduction System

Author: Amanda Soderlind

Cardiac Cycle

Source: Heart Image from Adobe Illustrator; Public Domain

Video Transcript

Cardiac Conduction System

Source: VIDEO AND IMAGES CREATED BY AMANDA SODERLIND

Video Transcript

Video Transcription

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Terms to Know
Atrioventricular Node (AV Node)

Known as the “gateway” between the atria and ventricles; the AV node slows down the rate at which the action potential travels from the atria to the ventricles allowing for more filling time.

Cardiac Conduction System

A system of specialized cells and nodes in the heart that rhythmically pace the heart and time when the chambers contract. It includes the sinoatrial node (SA node) and the atrioventricular node (AV node).

Cardiac Cycle

All of the events that occur during one heart beat that drive blood flow into and out of the heart; a series of well-timed pressure and volume changes within the chambers of the heart that drive blood flow throughout its chambers.

Diastole

A term used to describe a decrease in pressure and work; measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

Sinoatrial Node (SA Node)

Known as the pacemaker of the heart due to its ability to depolarize and repolarize faster than the rest of the cardiac conduction system. It is located in the right atrium of the heart.

Systole

A term used to describe an increase in pressure and work; measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).