Atrioventricular node
Atrioventricular Node
The Atrioventricular Node (pronounced: A-tree-o-ven-TRIK-yoo-lar node), often abbreviated as AV node, is a crucial part of the cardiac conduction system in the heart that acts as a gatekeeper for electrical impulses.
Etymology
The term "Atrioventricular" is derived from the Latin words "atrium" and "ventriculus" which mean "entrance hall" and "little belly" respectively. The term "node" comes from the Latin "nodus" meaning "knot". This refers to the node's location and function in the heart.
Function
The AV node is located in the endocardium, the innermost layer of the heart, at the bottom of the right atrium, near the tricuspid valve. It plays a critical role in controlling the heart rate by delaying the electrical signals that cause the heart to contract. This delay allows the atria to fully contract before the ventricles, ensuring efficient blood flow through the heart.
Related Terms
- Cardiac Conduction System: The electrical system in the heart that controls the heart rate.
- Endocardium: The innermost layer of tissue that lines the cavities of the heart.
- Right Atrium: One of the four chambers of the heart, it receives deoxygenated blood from the body.
- Tricuspid Valve: The valve that controls blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle.
- Atria: The two upper chambers of the heart.
- Ventricles: The two lower chambers of the heart.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Atrioventricular node
- Wikipedia's article - Atrioventricular node
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