Myocyte

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Myocyte

Myocyte (pronounced: my-o-cyte, from the Greek words "myo" meaning muscle and "cyte" meaning cell) is a type of cell found in muscle tissue. Myocytes are long, tubular cells that develop from myoblasts to form muscles in a process known as myogenesis. There are various types of myocytes with different functions including: cardiac myocytes, skeletal muscle fibers, and smooth muscle cells.

Etymology

The term "myocyte" is derived from the Greek words "myo" meaning muscle and "cyte" meaning cell. It was first used in the late 19th century to describe the muscle cells.

Types of Myocytes

There are three types of myocytes:

  • Cardiac Myocytes - These are the muscle cells (myocytes) that make up the cardiac muscle (heart muscle). Each one of these heart cells can contract on its own, but when they are connected with other heart cells, they can all contract in unison, creating a synchronized heartbeat.
  • Skeletal Muscle Fibers - These are the myocytes that make up the skeletal muscles, which are the muscles that are connected to the skeleton and are under voluntary control. These cells are long and cylindrical and have multiple nuclei.
  • Smooth Muscle Cells - These are the myocytes that make up the smooth muscle, which is found in the walls of organs and structures such as the esophagus, stomach, intestines, bronchi, uterus, urethra, and blood vessels. Unlike skeletal muscle fibers, these cells are involuntary and have a single nucleus.

Related Terms

  • Myoblasts - These are the precursor cells that develop into myocytes.
  • Myogenesis - This is the process of muscle tissue development, in which myoblasts differentiate into myocytes.
  • Muscle Tissue - This is the tissue composed of myocytes that contract to produce movement.
  • Cardiac Muscle - This is the type of muscle tissue that makes up the heart. It is composed of cardiac myocytes.
  • Skeletal Muscle - This is the type of muscle tissue that is connected to the skeleton and is under voluntary control. It is composed of skeletal muscle fibers.
  • Smooth Muscle - This is the type of muscle tissue that is found in the walls of organs and structures such as the esophagus, stomach, intestines, bronchi, uterus, urethra, and blood vessels. It is composed of smooth muscle cells.

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