Purkinje fibers
depolarize the contractile cells of both ventricles (20-40bpm)
Purkinje fibers are specialized muscle fibers located in the walls of the ventricles of the heart. These fibers are responsible for initiating and propagating the electrical impulses that cause the heart to contract and pump blood throughout the body.
Purkinje fibers are larger and more extensively branched than typical cardiac muscle fibers, and they have fewer myofibrils. This unique structure allows the fibers to rapidly transmit electrical signals from the heart’s electrical conduction system to the ventricles.
The action potential that travels through Purkinje fibers causes the rapid and synchronized contraction of the ventricles, resulting in the ejection of blood from the heart. Therefore, rapid conduction through the Purkinje fibers is crucial to the normal functioning of the heart and the maintenance of proper blood flow throughout the body.
In some cases, abnormalities in Purkinje fiber conduction can cause cardiac arrhythmias, which can lead to serious health problems. Treatments for arrhythmias may include medications, catheter ablation, and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.
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