What is SA Node and AV Node? Where Are They Located? What Are Their Functions?

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: September 25th, 2023

SA node is a major element in the cardiac conduction system which helps in controlling the heart rate. AV node is a cell cluster located in the heart center between ventricles and atria.

SA Node

One of the key components of the cardiac conduction system, which regulates heart pace, is the SA node (SA stands for sinoatrial).

Location:

The right atrium’s upper portion of the wall is where the SA node, a collection of cells, is located (the right upper chamber of the heart). The exact location is the right upper auricular wall.

Function

It starts the heartbeat by starting electric impulses. The SA node is where the electrical impulses are produced. The sinus node is another name for the SA node.

The atrioventricular node is reached by the electrical signal produced by the SA node after travelling through the heart’s cells cell by cell (AV node).

Table of content

1. What is SA Node and AV Node? Where Are They Located? What Are Their Functions?

AV Node

Atrioventricular node, or AV node. It is a collection of cells that can be found in the middle of the heart, between the ventricles and atria.

Location:

The centre of the atrioventricular septum is the exact place.

Function:

Ventricular contractions result from it.

The SA node sends signals to the AV node.

Before allowing the signal to pass through to the ventricles, the AV node acts as a gate to slow the electrical current. By delaying the stimulation of the ventricles, the atria are given time to close completely. The electrical current passes through the AV node and then proceeds along specialised fibres that are woven into the walls of the lower chamber of the heart to reach the ventricles.

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