What do Purkinje fibers primarily carry cardiac impulses to?

Study for the Heart Physiology Exam. Review key concepts with multiple-choice questions and detailed explanations. Get ready to ace your test!

Purkinje fibers are specialized cardiac muscle fibers that play a crucial role in the conduction system of the heart. Their primary function is to rapidly distribute electrical impulses throughout the ventricles, ensuring that the heart contracts in a coordinated and effective manner.

The Purkinje fibers specifically extend from the bundle of His and spread throughout the ventricular myocardium, particularly focusing on carrying impulses to the heart's apex and the ventricular walls. This allows for an efficient contraction that starts from the apex of the heart and moves upward towards the base, facilitating the effective ejection of blood from the ventricles into the aorta and pulmonary arteries.

This coordinated contraction is essential for maintaining optimal cardiac function and ensuring that blood is pumped efficiently throughout the body. The other options involve structures or areas that are not directly involved in the primary conduction pathway of cardiac impulses initiated by Purkinje fibers, which is why they do not represent the correct answer.

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