Organ
Atrioventricular bundle (of His)
Electrical passage through the atrioventricular insulation
High-yield
The penetrating bundle lies close to the membranous septum and aortic root; these relations help explain conduction injury during nearby procedures.
Overview
The His bundle continues the AV node into the ventricular conduction system. Its specialized muscle cells enter the central fibrous body and approach the muscular septal crest, where right and left conducting branches emerge. In the usual heart, this axis carries impulses across the otherwise insulating atrioventricular junction.
Reference facts
- Location
- Between the AV node and ventricular bundle branches, through the central fibrous body toward the septal crest
- Parts
- A penetrating segment followed by the axis that gives rise to the ventricular branches
- Blood supply
- Usually contributions from the AV nodal artery and anterior interventricular septal branches; their extent varies
- Innervation
- Cardiac autonomic influences modulate these conducting cardiomyocytes
- Relations
- Near the membranous septum, aortic root and septal tricuspid attachment
- Function
- Transfers atrial excitation from the AV node into the ventricular conducting branches
Clinical correlation
Disease or injury of the His bundle can interrupt atrioventricular conduction. The resulting escape rhythm depends on the level of block and the surviving pacemaker; one fixed rate or QRS width does not describe every case.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the atrioventricular bundle (of His) located?
Between the AV node and ventricular bundle branches, through the central fibrous body toward the septal crest.
What does the atrioventricular bundle (of His) do?
Transfers atrial excitation from the AV node into the ventricular conducting branches.
What are the parts of the atrioventricular bundle (of His)?
A penetrating segment followed by the axis that gives rise to the ventricular branches.
What is the blood supply of the atrioventricular bundle (of His)?
Usually contributions from the AV nodal artery and anterior interventricular septal branches; their extent varies.