#ESSENTIAL ANATOMY 3 HEART QUIZ SERIES#

The bundle of His divides in the septum between the two ventricles into the left and right bundle branches, which are situated in the left and right ventricular muscle respectively. Here the impulse is briefly slowed before continuing down the conduction pathway to the bundle of His. These electrical impulses stimulate the atria to contract and then travel to the atrioventricular node (AV node), which is located in the inter-atrial septum. The SA node is located in the right atrium and automatically generates an electrical impulse 60-100 times per minute under normal conditions. The sinoatrial node (SA node) is the pacemaker of the heart and is the point of origin of the electrical impulses that are propagated through the heart. The pumping action of the heart is controlled by the cardiac conduction system. The heart is often compared to a pump that is made up of muscle. In order to be able to interpret an ECG, a basic understanding of the heart’s electrical conduction system is required. The Electrical Conduction System of the Heart The ECG is undoubtedly one of the most useful investigations available to us in medicine.

If a stepwise, logical approach is taken the ECG should be a simple process and can provide an immense amount of useful information, especially when used in conjunction with a patient’s clinical presentation. Many medical students, and even some more experienced medical professionals, struggle with ECG interpretation.

#ESSENTIAL ANATOMY 3 HEART QUIZ SERIES#

The electrocardiogram, or ECG, is a simple diagnostic test which records the electrical activity of the heart over a set time period via the process of attaching a series of electrodes at particular points on a patient’s body.

Essential anatomy 3 heart quiz