Final answer:
The electrical impulse of the heart begins at the sinoatrial (SA) node, moves through internodal pathways and across the atria, and then travels to the atrioventricular (AV) node. Following a brief delay, the impulse proceeds down the bundle of His, along the bundle branches, and through the Purkinje fibers, ensuring a coordinated contraction of the heart muscles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The path of the electrical impulse in the heart begins at the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located in the right atrium. This impulse, often referred to as the heart's pacemaker, triggers the rhythmic contractions of the heart by spreading through the atria via internodal pathways and Bachmann's bundle.
The impulse then takes about 50 milliseconds to travel to the atrioventricular (AV) node. From there, it moves to the AV bundle of His, down the bundle branches, and finally through the Purkinje fibers. This organized journey allows for a coordinated contraction, first of the atria and then the ventricles, efficiently pumping blood throughout the body. The electrical events in the heart, including the wave of depolarization caused by the impulse, can be observed on an electrocardiogram (ECG), which records these electrical impulses.