Myogenic Stimulation of the Heart

Myogenic Stimulation of the Heart

• The cardiac muscle is myogenic meaning it is able to generate its own electrical activity
• The "pace maker" is the sino-atrial node
• Nerves and hormones can alter heart rate
  • but not the rythm of beating

• An electrical impulse is generated at the sino-atrial node
• The impulse travels across the atria
• The atria then contracts, forcing blood into the ventricles
• The impulse is delayed at the atrio-ventricular node
  • this allows the…