Which cardiac structure has the lowest spontaneous discharge rate?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking to identify the cardiac structure that has the lowest rate of spontaneous electrical discharge among the options provided. This involves knowledge of cardiac physiology, particularly the conduction system of the heart.
Answer
Purkinje fibers.
The cardiac structure with the lowest spontaneous discharge rate is the Purkinje fibers.
Answer for screen readers
The cardiac structure with the lowest spontaneous discharge rate is the Purkinje fibers.
More Information
The Purkinje fibers have the lowest spontaneous discharge rate compared to other cardiac pacemaker cells. They are specialized conducting fibers composed of electrically excitable cells, which ensure the correct propagation of action potentials throughout the heart.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing the rate of discharge among various cardiac structures. It's important to remember that the rate decreases as you move from the SA node down to the Purkinje fibers.
Sources
- Cardiac electrophysiology and ECG interpretation - ECGWaves - ecgwaves.com
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