PURKINJE FIBER Meaning and
Definition
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Purkinje fibers, also known as Purkinje network or Purkinje tracts, refer to specialized cardiac muscle fibers that play a crucial role in the conduction of electrical impulses through the heart. These fibers are named after the Czech anatomist Jan Evangelista Purkinje, who discovered them in the mid-19th century.
Purkinje fibers are a part of the electrical conduction system of the heart and are located within the ventricles. Unlike the surrounding cardiac muscle tissue, Purkinje fibers possess unique characteristics that allow for rapid transmission of electrical signals. These fibers are larger in diameter, have fewer myofibrils, and are rich in glycogen, which enables them to conduct electrical impulses quickly and efficiently.
The main function of Purkinje fibers is to distribute electrical signals received from the sinoatrial (SA) node and atrioventricular (AV) node to the myocardial cells of the ventricles. After initiation by the SA node, the electrical impulse travels to the AV node and then rapidly demarcates through the Purkinje fibers, causing a coordinated contraction of the ventricles and facilitating efficient ejection of blood from the heart.
Abnormalities or disorders related to Purkinje fibers can lead to heart rhythm abnormalities, such as bundle branch blocks or ventricular tachycardia. The dysfunction of Purkinje fibers may also contribute to the development of certain heart conditions like arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia or fascicular ventricular tachycardia.
In summary, Purkinje fibers are specialized muscle fibers within the heart that serve as an electrical conduction system to ensure the synchronous contraction of ventricles, enabling efficient pumping of blood throughout the body.
Common Misspellings for PURKINJE FIBER
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Etymology of PURKINJE FIBER
The term "Purkinje fiber" is named after Jan Evangelista Purkyně, a Czech anatomist and physiologist. In the 19th century, Purkyně made significant contributions to the field of anatomy, including his observations on the specialized conducting fibers found within the heart. These conducting fibers are responsible for transmitting electrical impulses throughout the cardiac muscle, allowing for synchronized contractions of the heart chambers.
Since Purkyně was the first to describe these fibers in detail, they were subsequently named after him as "Purkinje fibers" or "Purkinje network". Purkyně's research and discoveries on the heart's conducting system have been of great importance in understanding how electrical signals propagate through the heart, leading to improved knowledge in cardiology.
Similar spelling word for PURKINJE FIBER
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