The Cardiac Electrical System - How the Heart Beats
By Richard N. Fogoros, M.D., About.com
Updated: September 25, 2007
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
The Cardiac Electrical Signal Spreads Across the Atria
Figure 2 - Spreading across the atria
Figure 2: The electrical impulse originates in the sinus node. From there, it spreads across both atria, causing the atria to contract. As the electrical impulse passes through the atria, it generates the so-called "P" wave on the ECG. (The P wave is indicated by the solid purple line on the ECG below.)
Prev
- Introduction to the Cardiac Electrical Signal
- The Components of the Cardiac Electrical Signal
- The Cardiac Electrical Signal Spreads Across the Atria
- The Cardiac Electrical Signal Reaches the AV Node
- The Cardiac Electrical Signal Passes to the Ventricles
- The Cardiac Electrical Signal Spreads Across the Ventricles
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