SA node and AV node
Electrical pulses in the heart are controlled by special groups of cells called nodes. The SA (sinoatrial) node generates an electrical signal that causes the upper heart chambers (atria) to contract; the signal then passes through the AV (atrioventricular) node to the lower heart chambers (ventricles), causing them to contract, or pump.
The SA node is considered the pacemaker of the heart. Its electrical signals normally cause the atria to contract at a rate of 60 to 100 times per minute.
Disturbance anywhere along this electrical pathway can cause irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia).
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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