Histology 5 Flashcards
Where does the heart lie?
In a fibrous sac lined by a layer of mesothelial cells called pericardium
What are the cells that line the fibrous sac called?
Pericardium
What type of cell layer does the pericardium comprise of?
Single layer of Flattened or squamous mesothelial cells that lay on a thin fibrous layer of connective tissue
What is the visceral pericardium?
Layer on the outer surface of the heart
What is the parietal pericardium?
Layer of cells on the inner surface of the fibrous sac containing the heart
What is the epicardium?
Layer of fatty connective tissue underneath the pericardium
What does the epicardium contain?
Mixture of vessels and nerves including the coronary arteries
What is the thickest layer of the heart?
Myocardium
What type of muscle is the myocardium?
Specialised cardiac muscle
What features does the myocardium have?
Striated
Branching
Central nucleus
Intercalated discs
What do intercalated discs do?
Connect adjacent myocytes and contain a combination of gap junctions, adhering junctions and desmosomes
What is endomysium?
Loose fibrous connective tissue, may contain small number of lymphocytes
Where are the largest myocytes found?
Wall of the left ventricle
Which myocytes secrete atrial natriuretic peptide?
Atrial myocytes
Where can purkinje fibres be found?
Ventricles immediately below the endocardium
