The force and rate of contraction of the heart is controlled by which part of the central nervous system (CNS)?
A) phrenic nerve
B) vagus nerve
C) Purkinje system
D) medulla oblongata

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The medulla oblongata, a part of the brainstem, contains the cardiovascular center which regulates the force and rate of the heart's contractions. The center receives input from baroreceptors (pressure sensors) in the blood vessels and chemoreceptors (sensors that detect changes in blood chemistry) which help adjust heart rate and force of contraction to maintain appropriate blood pressure and oxygen supply to the body. The phrenic nerve is responsible for controlling the diaphragm muscle and is not involved in heart function. The vagus nerve can influence heart rate, but it is not the primary regulator. The Purkinje system is a network of specialized cardiac muscle fibers that helps propagate electrical signals for coordinated contraction of the ventricles but does not control the force or rate of contraction.

The Force and Rate of Contraction of the Heart Is