The Atrioventricular node reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Jul-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Atrioventricular node

The atrioventricular node (abbreviated AV node) is the tissue between the atria and the ventricles of the heart, which conducts the normal electrical impulse from the atria to the ventricles.

The AV node receives two inputs from the atria: posteriorly via the crista terminalis, and anteriorly via the interatrial septum.¹

An important property that is unique to the AV node is decremental conduction. This is the property of the AV node that prevents rapid conduction to the ventricle in cases of rapid atrial rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.

Related topics

• Electrical conduction system of the heart
• Sinoatrial node (SA node)

References

1. ACC/AHA/ESC Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation - Executive Summary (Full text)

Cardiovascular system - Heart	Edit
Pericardium - Epicardium - Myocardium - Endocardium - Purkinje fibers - Cardiac pacemaker - Sinoatrial node - Atrioventricular node - Heart valves

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