Histology

Question 1

What layer of the heart secretes pericardial fluid?

Answer 1

Epicardium /visceral pericardium

Question 2

What lines the epicardium?

Answer 2

Mesothelium

Question 3

What is the characteristic of heart myocytes? (compare to normal skeletal muscle cells)

Answer 3

1-2 central nuclei (rather than masses at peripheries)

Question 4

In the intercalated discs in muscle fibres what is contained and what is the purpose?

Answer 4

Zonula adherenes/desmosomes - provide support

Gap junctions - allow for electrical conduction

Question 5

What layer of heart contains purkenje fibres?

Answer 5

Subendocardium

Question 6

Name the 3 functions of the cardiac skeleton and what it is made up of?

Answer 6

• Insulate electrical conduction
• Form valves
• Provide anchor for muscular areas of the heart

Fibrous connective tissue

Question 7

What is found at the core of valves/

Answer 7

Lamina fibrosa - dense irregular connective

Question 8

What covers valves?

Answer 8

Endocardium

Question 9

What holds valves in place and allows them to open and close?

Answer 9

Chordae tendinae attached to papillary muscles

Question 10

Name the layers of blood vessel including elastic membranes from deepest to superfical

Answer 10

Tunica intima
Internal elastic membrane
Tunica media
External elastic membrane
Tunica adventita

Question 11

What fibre type is associated with media and adventitia?

Answer 11

Media - smooth muscle

Adventitia - connective muscle

Question 12

What has a thicker tunica media; veins or arteries?

Answer 12

Arteries

Question 13

What vessles control blood flow through capillaries?

Answer 13

Arterioles

Question 14

Name the types of capillaries from most to least pores?

Where are capillaries found with no pores?

Answer 14

Discontinous
Fenestrated
Continous

BBB

Question 15

What maintains diastolic pressure?

Answer 15

Elastic rebound of arteries

Question 16

What are and where are pericytes found?

Answer 16

Capillaries and venules

Connective tissue cells with contractile properties

Question 17

Name the 3 types of cells found in the heart - what ones are smaller?

Answer 17

Conducting
Pacemaker
Contractile

Conducting and pacemaker are smaller

Question 18

What muscle is striated? Why?

Answer 18

Skeletal and cardiac

Actin and myosin are in regular intervals unlike in smooth muscle

Question 19

What is the purpose of gap junctions and desmosomes found between cardiac cells?

Answer 19

Gap junctions - electric impulse transmission

Desmosomes - provide mechanical adhesion between cells -> ensure tension created by one cell is transferred to the next