Atrioventricular

Atrioventricular (AV)

Atrioventricular (pronounced: ay-tree-oh-ven-TRIK-yoo-lar) is a term used in medicine to describe the relationship or connection between the atria and the ventricles of the heart. The term is derived from the Latin words 'atrium', meaning 'entrance hall', and 'ventriculus', meaning 'little belly'.

Definition

The term 'atrioventricular' is used to describe anything pertaining to the atria (the two upper chambers of the heart) and the ventricles (the two lower chambers of the heart). This includes the atrioventricular node (AV node), a part of the electrical conduction system of the heart that coordinates the top of the heart, and the atrioventricular valves, which regulate blood flow from the atria to the ventricles.

Atrioventricular Node

The atrioventricular node (AV node) is a part of the electrical conduction system of the heart that delays the signal from the sinoatrial node (SA node), allowing the atria to contract and fill the ventricles with blood before they contract.

Atrioventricular Valves

The atrioventricular valves are the heart valves located between the atria and the ventricles of the heart. They prevent the backflow of blood into the atria when the ventricles contract. There are two atrioventricular valves: the mitral valve, which is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle, and the tricuspid valve, which is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle.

Related Terms

Cardiology: The branch of medicine that deals with diseases and abnormalities of the heart.
Electrocardiogram: A test that measures the electrical activity of the heart.
Arrhythmia: A condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm.
Heart Block: A disease in the electrical system of the heart.