The cardiac cycle is regulated by specialized areas in the heart wall, that forms the conduction system of the heart. Two of these areas are tissue mass, called as nodes; the third is a group of fibers, called as the atrio-ventricular bundle. The sinoatrial node, which is located in the upper wall of the right atrium and initiates the heartbeat, is called as the pacemaker. The second node, located in the interatrial septum at the bottom of the right atrium, is called as the atrioventricular node.
The rhythmic sequence of contractions (sinus rhythm), is coordinated by the sinoatrial (SA) and atrioventricular (AV) nodes. The sinoatrial node, often known as the cardiac pacemaker, is located in the upper wall of the right atrium and is responsible for the wave of electrical stimulation that initiates atrial contraction by creating an action potential. Once the wave reaches the AV node, situated in the lower right atrium, it is delayed there before being conducted through the bundles of His and back up the Purkinje fibers, leading to a contraction of the ventricles. The delay at the AV node allows enough time for all of the blood in the atria to fill their respective ventricles.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────