Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Y2S1 ANATOMY > Anatomy of the conduction system of the heart > Flashcards

Anatomy of the conduction system of the heart Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the conducting system of the heart

A
  • The heart pumps blood throughout the body, which is achieved by the contraction and relaxation of the (cardiac muscle tissue) in the (myocardium layer)
  • The intercalated discs of the heart allow the impulses to travel rapidly between adjacent cells so that they function as one
  • The heart is controlled by the sympathetic, parasympathetic, & the conduction system (controls the HR by creating the electrical impulses and sending them through the heart)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the pacemaker of the heart?

A

The sinoatrial node

  • It contains a rich supply of autonomic nerve fibers
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

WHICH MYOCARDIAL STRUCTURE ALLOWA THE EART TO CONTRACT AS A UNIT?

A

The intercalated discs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the pathway of the cardiac conduction system?

A

1) Sinoatrial Node (SA, Initiate the impulse)

2) Atrioventricular Node (AV, connects the atria to the ventricles, delaying the impulse)

3) Bundle of Hiss (Atrioventricular bundle, Ensures that the ventricle contracts together)

4) Bundle of hiss (right and left branches, Atrioventricular bundle, Ensures that the ventricle contracts together)

5) Purkinje fibers (Atrioventricular bundle, Ensures that the ventricle contracts together)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the function of the SA node?

A
  • It initiates impulses 70-80 times per minute (normally it initiates 100-110bpm), but due to the domination of the parasympathetic nerve fibers at rest it reduces it to 70-80
  • It establishes the basic rhythm of the heartbeat
  • The impulses move through the two atria allowing them to contract and at the same time they reach to the ventricles
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Where is the Atrioventricular Node located?

A
  • Between the atria and ventricle
  • At the bottom of the right atrium near the septum just above the coronary sinus (the coronary sinus is between the IVC of the RA and the tricuspid orifice)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Describe the course of the purkijee fubers

A

From the

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the function of the AV bundle and what are their branches?

A

They slowly conduct impulses from the AV node to the right and left sides of the septum and the bottom of the heart

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Where is the SA node located?

A
  • Back of the right atrium
  • Superior ridge of cristae terminalis
  • In front of the superior vena cava opening
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the function of the Atrioventricular node?

A
  • The delay in the sinuatrial impulse allows the atria to finish contracting before the ventricular contraction begins
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the funtion of the purkinjee fibers?

A
  • They innervate the papillary muscles
  • They spread within the muscle wall of the ventricles, transmitting the impulses into the myocardium
  • Them and the bundle of his and their branches conduct impulses quickly causing both ventricles to contract at the same time
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What will happen if the conducting system of the heart is damaged?

A

Cardiac Arrhythmias

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is meant by a complete heart block?

A

When the impulse does not travel at all from the SA node and the AV node

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the commonest cause of defective conduction of the AV bundle?

A

Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the blood supply of the conduction system?

A

Right and left coronary artery

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the first sign of atherosclerosis?

A

Arrhythmias

13
Q

What is the cardiac plexus?

A
  • It is the network of nerves supplying the heart
  • It receives contributions from the right and left vagus nerves as well as the sympathetic trunk
14
Q

Where is the cardiac plexus located?

A
  • Below the arch of the aorta
15
Q

Where is the location of the main control of the heart?

A
  • Medulla oblongata (Caudal part of the brain stem), which contains the cardio-regulatory center.
  • The cardio regulatory center is made up of the cardio acceleratory center and the cardioinhibitory center (in the lower part of the Medulla)
16
Q

What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

A

It acts on the sinoatrial node speeding up the depolarization rate and therefore increasing the heart rate

17
Q

What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system on the heart?

A
  • Innervated by the vagus nerve
  • The speed up the repolarization of the heart rate, slowing the HR down
18
Q

Does the heart need a nervous supply?

A

No, the sinoatrial node acts as a natural pacemaker, if all of the heart’s nervous supply it will continue to beat but faster

19
Q

Describe the sympathetic nerve supply of the heart

A
  • Sympathetic nerve exits the medulla travelling through a short myelinated preganglionic fiber till the sympathetic ganglia
  • The preganglionic sympathetic fibers that innervate the heart arise from the T1-T5 segment of the spinal cord
  • The postganglionic fibers terminate at the SA & AV nodes on the cardiac muscle fibers and the coronary artery
  • Activation of these nerves results in a flight or fight response, increasing the HR and for of cardiac muscle contraction
  • T1 can transfer the pain to the upper limb
  • T2-T5 can transfer the pain to the chest wall
20
Q

Describe the parasympathetic innervation (vagus nerve) of the heart

A
  • Exits the medulla as long preganglionic efferent fibers that synapse with the short postganglionic fibers within the heart or vascular tissue
  • They terminate on the SA & AV node and the coronary arteries
  • The activation of the parasympathetic nerves results in the reduction of the rate and force of heart contraction and constricts the coronary arteries
21
Q

What is the difference between the sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation of the heart?

A

1) Sympathetic axons are highly branched and influence many organs, while the parasympathetic axons have few branches and localized effect

2) The sympathetic innervation has a long postganglionic fiber, while the parasympathetic has a short postganglionic fiber (they have a long preganglionic efferent nerve fiber)

22
Q

Which part of the heart conduction system is responsible for ventricular contraction?

A

The Purkinje fibers

23
Q

Which part of the cardiac conduction system is responsible for the prolonged PR interval?

A

The AV nodes

Y2S1 ANATOMY (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions