An electrical wave envelops the ventriclesThe larger chambers of the heart (3 times the volume and muscle thickness than the atria), responsible for the pumping of blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. very quickly IF the Bundle BranchesThe bundle of His terminates in the right and left bundle branches, insulated rapidly conducting electrical pathways that connect with the Purkinje network and thus begin depolarizing waves across the ventricles; the left bundle branch splits into three smaller branches... and the Purkinje NetworkA matrix of fibres located throughout the myocardium that connects the impulse from the bundle branches to the myocardial tissue. The bundle branches and the Purkinje network facilitate rapid depolarization throughout the ventricles. The Purkinje network also creates a typical... are utilized. This is comparable to getting off the back country roads and racing down the freeway. The rapidly conducting bundle branches could be called the Autobahn* of the heart.
*The Autobahn is an ultra-fast freeway that connects several countries in western Europe.
Where is the only location to ramp onto the Autobahn of the heart? Remember that the bundle branches are largely encapsulated in connective tissueConnective tissue in the heart provides structure, strength and protection to ensure efficient and effective electrical conduction and mechanical function. Connective tissue in the heart provides structure, strength and protection to ensure efficient and effective function. Connective tissue protects necessary.... The impulse must have travelled through the bundle of HisPart of the AV junction, the bundle of His conducts the impulse through the fibrous plate that separates the atria and the ventricle; the bundle of His is also a pacemaker, firing at 40-60/minute. The bundle of His serves as... to arrive at the bundle branches (the Autobahn). The only entry point to the Autobahn: bundle of His – AV junctionConducts the impulse through the fibrous plate that separates the atria and the ventricles; consists of the AV node and the bundle of His; functions also to slow the conduction speed to allow for atrial conduction prior to ventricular conduction... – Frankfurt.
1. Six Second ECG GuidebookA Practice Guide to Basic and 12 Lead ECG Interpretation, written by Tracy Barill, 2012 Introduction The ability to correctly interpret an electrocardiogram (ECG), be it a simple six second strip or a 12 lead ECG, is a vital skill... (2012), T Barill, p. 51, 109