AV node cells are the heart's gatekeepers. They hold each heartbeat signal for a split second, so the top and bottom rooms of your heart take turns.
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AV node cells live in a small patch called the atrioventricular node (AY-tree-oh-ven-TRIK-yoo-lar), or AV node. It sits near the middle of your heart, between the top rooms and the bottom rooms.
Like the cells that start the heartbeat, AV node cells are small and good at passing electric signals.
Scroll up to the 3D model and press Send a heartbeat. Watch the signal wait at the gate before it goes down.
The heartbeat signal starts at the top of the heart. The top rooms squeeze first. Then the signal reaches the AV node.
The AV node holds the signal for a tiny fraction of a second. That gives the top rooms time to finish pushing blood into the bottom rooms. Then the signal goes on, and the big bottom rooms squeeze.
AV node cells are also a backup! If the main heartbeat starter stops working, AV node cells can make their own, slower beat.
By Peekaboo Kidz. A fun video for kids.
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