Cardiomyocytes

Cardiomyocytes (pronounced: car-dee-oh-my-o-cytes, from the Greek kardia meaning "heart" and myo meaning "muscle" and kytos meaning "cell") are the muscle cells (myocytes) that make up the cardiac muscle (or heart muscle). Each cardiomyocyte needs to contract in coordination with its neighbors to ensure the heart functions correctly.

Structure

Cardiomyocytes are elongated, tubular cells. The cytoplasm of cardiomyocytes is rich in myofibrils, which are the contractile organelles of the cell. Cardiomyocytes are connected to each other via intercalated discs, which allow for rapid transmission of electrical impulses through the heart muscle.

Function

The primary function of cardiomyocytes is to contract and thus pump blood throughout the body. They do this in response to electrical signals from the sinoatrial node, the natural pacemaker of the heart.

Types

There are two types of cardiomyocytes: ventricular cardiomyocytes and atrial cardiomyocytes. Ventricular cardiomyocytes are responsible for the contraction of the ventricles, while atrial cardiomyocytes are responsible for the contraction of the atria.

Related Terms

• Myocyte
• Cardiac muscle
• Sinoatrial node
• Intercalated disc
• Ventricular cardiomyocytes
• Atrial cardiomyocytes

See Also

• Cardiology
• Cardiac physiology

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