ipCD – Cardiovascular - Heart Anatomy, Vascular Circuits, and Intrinsic Conduction System

Benjamin Cummings. InterActive Physiology® 8-System Suite CD-ROM, Benjamin Cummings, 2004.

Objective:

To explain in a short essay or with diagrams the pumping of blood through the heart and the control of contraction by the autorhythmic and contractile cells, at the level of 85% proficiency for each student.

In order to achieve this objective, you will need to be able to:

1. Explain the pumping of blood through the heart and the pulmonary and systemic circuits.
2. Describe the structure of cardiac muscle cells, including the role of Desmosomes and of Gap junctions.
3. Compare and contrast 'autorhythmic' and contractile cells.
4. Identify the components of the intrinsic conduction system.
5. Explain the roles of the SA node and the AV node in the contraction of the heart.

© David G. Ward, Ph.D.  Last modified by wardd 23 May, 2006