📘 Step 1 — Curriculum Coverage

This section outlines integrated curriculum components covered in this topic. Delete subjects that are not relevant to this topic.

🔹 Anatomy

• Describe the different components of conduction system:
  • SA node
  • AV node
  • Bundle of His
  • Purkinje fibers
  • Bundle branches
• Describe the sympathetic innervation of heart
• Describe the parasympathetic innervation of the heart

🔹 Physiology

• Describe the physiological anatomy of the sinus node
• Describe the specialized excitatory and conductive pathway of cardiac muscle tissue
• Define automaticity, rhythmicity and conductivity
• Define pacemaker and explain why SA node is the normal pacemaker of the heart
• Define ectopic pacemaker and describe its causes
• Describe the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation on heart rate and conduction of cardiac action potentials
• Describe the significance of AV nodal delay
• Describe gap junctions and the significance of functional syncytium

🩺 Clinical Importance

• Correlate abnormalities of impulse generation and conduction with palpitations and arrhythmias