What is the syncytium of the heart?
A network of cardiac muscle cells connected by gap junctions that allows coordinate contraction of the ventricles. There are two syncytia of the heart: the ventricular syncytium and the atrial syncytium separated by fibrous tissue.
What does true syncytium mean?
A large cell-like structure formed by the joining together of two or more cells.
What is the difference between Coenocytic and syncytium?
A coenocyte (English: /ˈsiːnəsaɪt/) is a multinucleate cell which can result from multiple nuclear divisions without their accompanying cytokinesis, in contrast to a syncytium, which results from cellular aggregation followed by dissolution of the cell membranes inside the mass.
What is the functional syncytium of the heart and its importance?
The syncytium of cardiac muscle is important because it allows rapid coordinated contraction of muscles along their entire length. Cardiac tissue is therefore described as a functional syncytium, as opposed to the true syncytium of skeletal muscle.
What is only found in cardiac muscle?
Cardiac muscle is an involuntary striated muscle tissue found only in the heart and is responsible for the ability of the heart to pump blood.
What is called syncytium?
A syncytium or symplasm (/sɪnˈsɪʃiəm/; plural syncytia; from Greek: σύν syn “together” and κύτος kytos “box, i.e. cell”) is a multinucleate cell which can result from multiple cell fusions of uninuclear cells (i.e., cells with a single nucleus), in contrast to a coenocyte, which can result from multiple nuclear …
Is the heart a syncytium?
The heart is a functional syncytium that pumps blood most effectively with a synchronous contraction, coordinated by the electrical system of the heart (Fig. 8.1). Organized contraction begins with depolarization of the sinoatrial (SA) node that transmits an electrical signal impulse to the right atrium.
What are the 3 tissue types in the heart?
The heart wall is comprised of three layers, the epicardium (outer), myocardium (middle), and endocardium (inner). These tissue layers are highly specialized and perform different functions.
What is the shape of cardiac muscle?
Viewed through a microscope, cardiac muscle cells are roughly rectangular, measuring 100–150μm by 30–40μm. Individual cardiac muscle cells are joined together at their ends by intercalated discs to form long fibers.