Definition: In the context of medical terminology, a "metapterygial" is often used to describe a region within the heart that is responsible for pumping blood from the left ventricle to the right atrium. This area is also known as the atrioventricular (AV) node. The AV node plays an important role in regulating the heartbeat by initiating the contraction of the heart muscle, which then pumps blood back into the body through the aorta.