Layers and microanatomy of the heart Flashcards
What are the three layers of the heart?
Epicardium, myocardium and endocardium
What is the epicardium also called?
The visceral layer of the serous pericardium
Which is the muscular layer of the heart?
Myocardium. Contains cardiomyocytes.
What does the endocardium involve?
Heart valves and lining of blood vessels
What type of muscle is in the heart?
Striated. Not under voluntary control.
What is a functional syncytium?
An electrical stimulus to any part of the heart can cause contraction of the whole myocardium. This is due to interconnecting network of fibres.
What separates the sarcoplasm of adjacent cardiac muscle cells?
Intercalating discs.
What do intercalating discs use to hold cells firmly together?
Desmosomes
What do intercalating discs have that allow electrical excitation to pass between cells?
Gap junctions.
What is the fibrous skeleton?
Supporting structure that anchors cardiac muscle.
What forms the four fibrous rings in the fibrous skeleton?
Dense collagen
How many fibrous trigones is there?
2
