DAANCE Certification 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Question: 1 / 475

What structure is known as the pacemaker of the heart?

SA node

The SA node, or sinoatrial node, is known as the pacemaker of the heart because it is responsible for initiating the electrical impulses that lead to heart contractions. This specialized group of cells is located in the right atrium and generates electrical signals at a regular rhythm, typically around 60 to 100 beats per minute in a healthy adult. The impulses produced by the SA node spread through the atria, causing them to contract and pump blood into the ventricles.

In contrast, the AV node, located between the atria and ventricles, serves as a relay point that temporarily slows down the electrical signal to ensure that the atria have finished contracting before the ventricles begin their contraction. The Purkinje fibers are part of the conduction system that distributes the electrical signals to the ventricles, facilitating their contraction. The Bundle of His, a pathway for electrical signals within the heart, also plays a role in conducting impulses from the AV node to the ventricles. However, it is the SA node that ultimately acts as the primary pacemaker, regulating the heart's overall rhythm.

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AV node

Purkinje fibers

Bundle of His

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