SINUS RHYTHM Meaning and
Definition
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Sinus rhythm is a term used in medicine to describe the normal electrical activity of the heart. The heart contains a specialized electrical system that controls its rhythm and rate of contraction. In sinus rhythm, the electrical impulses originate from the sinoatrial (SA) node, the heart's natural pacemaker, and follow a regular pattern, resulting in a normal heartbeat.
The term "sinus" refers to the location of the SA node, which is situated in the upper right atrium of the heart. When this node discharges an electrical signal, it spreads through the atria, causing them to contract and push blood into the ventricles. The signal then travels through the atrioventricular (AV) node, located between the atria and ventricles, and down specialized pathways in the ventricles, leading to their contraction and subsequent ejection of blood into the body.
A sinus rhythm is characterized by a regular heartbeat with a rate typically between 60 to 100 beats per minute in adults. The atria and ventricles contract in a synchronized manner, allowing efficient blood flow throughout the body. Changes in this normal rhythm can indicate various cardiac conditions or abnormalities, such as arrhythmias or heart disease.
Clinicians often assess a patient's heart rhythm by analyzing an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which records the electrical activity of the heart. The presence of sinus rhythm on an ECG indicates that the heart is functioning within its normal electrical pattern. It is an essential aspect of cardiovascular health and indicates that the heart is effectively pumping blood throughout the body.
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Normal cardiac rhythm proceeding from the sinoauricular node, or remains of the sinus venosus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SINUS RHYTHM
- ainus rhythm
- zinus rhythm
- xinus rhythm
- dinus rhythm
- einus rhythm
- winus rhythm
- sunus rhythm
- sjnus rhythm
- sknus rhythm
- sonus rhythm
- s9nus rhythm
- s8nus rhythm
- sibus rhythm
- simus rhythm
- sijus rhythm
- sihus rhythm
- sinys rhythm
- sinhs rhythm
- sinjs rhythm
- sinis rhythm
Etymology of SINUS RHYTHM
The word "sinus rhythm" in the medical context refers to the normal rhythm of the heart, originating from the sinus node. The word "sinus" originates from the Latin term "sinus", meaning "curve" or "bay". It was first used in the mid-19th century to describe the cavity or recess within a bone or organ. In the case of the heart, the sinus node, also known as the sinoatrial node, is a small nodal tissue located in the right atrium. It generates the electrical impulses that initiate heart contractions, establishing the normal rhythm of the heart known as "sinus rhythm". So, the etymology of "sinus rhythm" is derived from the Latin term "sinus" referring to the sinus node located in the heart.
