What is an electrical difference across the fibers of the heart called?

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
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What is an electrical difference across the fibers of the heart called?

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Even if all of the nerves supplying the heart are cut or if it is divided into several sections, the heart continues to beat for a while. This is because the heart contains specialized pacemaker tissue capable of initiating recurrent action potential.

The contractile muscle fibers and autorhythmic cells are two types of cells found in the heart. The pacemaker cells are found in the sinoatrial node and are also known as autorhythmic cells. Contractile muscle fibers make up the majority of the myocardium. An action potential can be initiated by autorhythmic cells.

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