Which structure is responsible for conducting electrical impulses in the heart?

The sinoatrial node, often referred to as the heart's natural pacemaker, is the primary structure responsible for generating and conducting electrical impulses in the heart. It is located in the right atrium and plays a crucial role in initiating the heartbeat by producing electrical signals that cause the atria to contract. This electrical activity then travels through the atrioventricular node and the His-Purkinje system, ultimately leading to the contraction of the ventricles.

In the context of heart function, the sinoatrial node ensures synchronized contractions of the heart chambers, which is essential for effective blood flow. Its activity regulates the heart rate and rhythm, responding dynamically to the body's needs for oxygen and blood flow.

The other options, while important for overall circulatory function, do not conduct electrical impulses. For example, the coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle itself, the venous system is responsible for returning deoxygenated blood to the heart, and the pulmonary arteries carry blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation. However, none of these structures are involved in the conduction of electrical impulses.