Cardiomyocyte

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Cardiomyocyte

Cardiomyocytes (pronounced: car-dee-oh-my-o-sites), also known as heart muscle cells, are the cells that make up the cardiac muscle tissue. These cells are responsible for the contractile function of the heart, allowing it to pump blood throughout the body.

Etymology

The term "cardiomyocyte" is derived from the Greek words kardia, meaning "heart", and myo, meaning "muscle", and cyte, meaning "cell".

Structure

Cardiomyocytes are elongated, cylindrical cells with a single central nucleus. They contain numerous mitochondria to meet their high energy demands, and their cytoplasm is filled with myofibrils, which are the contractile elements of the cell.

Function

The primary function of cardiomyocytes is to contract and relax, facilitating the pumping action of the heart. This is achieved through a process known as excitation-contraction coupling, which involves the transmission of an electrical signal from the cell's surface to its interior, triggering the release of calcium ions and initiating contraction.

Types

There are two main types of cardiomyocytes: ventricular cardiomyocytes and atrial cardiomyocytes. Ventricular cardiomyocytes are larger and have a higher capacity for contraction, while atrial cardiomyocytes are smaller and have a higher capacity for electrical conduction.

Related Terms

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