Cardiac Muscle

Question 1

Describe the dual layered outer-sac of cardiac tissue

Answer 1

The pericardium consists of an outer ‘parietal’ layer, then a visceral layer of serous pericardium, connected to the myocardium and then the endocardium

Serous: Serum producing
Parietal: Denoting a wall or body cavity

Question 2

Summarise cardiac tissue

Answer 2

Striated
short - fat
branched
interconnected

Question 3

How do cardiac cells interlock with each other?

Answer 3

Intercalated discs

Question 4

How do ions move from one cell to another?

Answer 4

Gap junctions

Question 5

What do intercalated discs contain?

Answer 5

Desmosomes for adhesion / attachment of adjacent cells

Gap junctions to allow movement of ions between cells

Question 6

Another name for the SA node?

Answer 6

Pacemaker

Question 7

Describe myocytes

Answer 7

Myogenic cardiac cells
Controlled by the ANS - SA node - AV node - conduction fibres
Considered an oscillator mechanism / internal clock

ANS - autonomic nervous system