What are the three fascicles of the intraventricular conduction system?

The three fascicles of the intraventricular conduction system consist of the right bundle branch (RBB), the left anterior branch of the left bundle branch (LBB), and the left posterior branch of the left bundle branch (LBB).

The right bundle branch conducts impulses to the right ventricle, ensuring that it contracts simultaneously with the left ventricle. The left bundle branch is divided further into two fascicles: the left anterior fascicle and the left posterior fascicle, which serve to conduct impulses to the respective walls of the left ventricle. This precise arrangement allows for coordinated contraction of the ventricles, which is essential for maintaining effective cardiac output and hemodynamics.

Understanding the structure and function of these fascicles is vital for critical care nurses as it directly relates to recognizing and managing conduction abnormalities, such as bundle branch blocks, which can lead to various cardiac dysfunctions.