6.5: Activity 4

Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab Manual II: Neural and Cardiopulmonary Systems · LibreTexts

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    From LibreTexts, under CC BY 4.0, as the source states it; its equations are written in TeX, which the PDF shows typeset. This page at LibreTexts.

    Anatomy of the Heart Conduction System

    A fully developed adult heart maintains the capability of generating its own electrical impulse, triggered by the fastest cells, as part of the cardiac conduction system. Build a concrete understanding of the cardiac conduction pathway.

    What You Need to Do

    Build a concrete understanding of the cardiac conduction pathway. 

    • Trace the normal depolarization sequence: SA node → atria → AV node delay → His bundle → right/left bundle branches → Purkinje fibers → ventricles.
    • Identify SA node, AV node, bundle of His, right/left bundle branches, and Purkinje network on a heart model and relate them to chamber anatomy.
    ‎Heart Conduction System.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Detailed anatomical diagram of the human heart showing labeled internal structures and major vessels. (Public Domain; via Lakshmikanta Sengupta).

    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\) is an anatomical diagram of the human heart. It displays internal structures including chambers, valves, and major blood vessels, with labels pointing to each part for identification. 

    Table \(\PageIndex{1}\):Key Components of the Cardiac Conduction System and Their Associated Labels
    Letter Component Letter Component
      Bundle of His (AV Bundle)    SA Node
      AV Node   AV Node
      Purkinje fibers   Right and Left Bundle Branches

    Map the Path and Explain the AV Pause

    Trace the normal pathway of that electrical signal, from the SA node through the Purkinje fibers. In your own words (2–3 sentences), answer on your worksheet:

    • What is the AV pause (AV nodal delay)?
    • Why is it important for normal heart function?

    This will help you connect conduction to the timing of atrial and ventricular contraction and to ECG waveforms.

    Critical Thinking Prompt

    A patient has damage to the Bundle of His. Which chambers might still contract together normally, and which may become uncoordinated? Briefly explain.

    This page titled 6.5: Activity 4 was last modified on Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:51:16 GMT and is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lakshmikanta Sengupta and Susmita Sengupta.