Sinoatrial node Ca into the cell), and the activation of potassium channels, which allows the flow of K out of the cell, making the membrane potential more negative. Heart rate depends on the rate at which the sinoatrial node produces action potentials. At rest, heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. This is a result of the activity of two sets of nerves, one acting to slow down action potential production (these are parasympathetic nerves) and the other acting to speed up action potential production (sympathetic nerves). The sympathetic nerves begin in the thoracic region of the spinal cord
Bachmann's bundle found that clamping the muscular bundle of fibers that connects the atria caused a significant conduction delay. The Bachman's bundle receives its blood supply from the sinoatrial nodal artery (right, left or both). Besides Bachmann's bundle, the other three conduction tracts that constitute the "atrial conduction system" are known as the anterior, middle, and posterior tracts, which run from the sinoatrial node to the atrioventricular node, converging in the region near the coronary sinus. "Atrial automaticity foci" are within the atrial conduction system. The concentration of converging conduction tracts near the coronary sinus results in considerable automaticity activity originating in