3. Fibroblasts
Cells associated with creating the extracellular matrix and
collage.
Framework of macromolecules that surround cells.
Basement membrane – cell division, movement and
differentiation.
Fibroblast – cell represented in connective tissue.
Large, flat, elongated cells. Nucleus is flat and oval.
4. Cardiomyocytes
Cardiomyocytes are striated, branched, contains
mitochondria and are subjected to involuntary control.
Diameter of 25um and length of 100um, have branched
network of cells known. Rod shaped muscle cells
Responsible for contraction of the heart.
Cell membrane holds voltage-gated Ca channels.
Individual cells are a structure composed of chains of
myofibrils
Types of cardiac muscle cells: myocardial contractile cells
and myocardial conducting cells.
5. Endocardial cells
Endocardial cells – advanced
endothelial cells, form the immediate
lining of the heart.
Essential in development.
Make up coronary vasculate.
These cells contribute to cardiac
cushioning at the outflow tract,
atrioventricular canal and through
EndoMT process.
Anatomic function keeping blood
flowing through the heart separate to
the myocardium.
6. Pericytes
Pericytes – perivascular cells. Play a role on tissue
repair and vascular homeostasis.
Essential for blood vessel formation.
Essential for regulation of blood flow
Only found on small blood vessels.
9um in diameter and 42.2 um in length.
Pericytes + endothelial cells work together to create
a functional intercommunicating unit, both share
basement membrane.
7. Smooth muscle cells
Smooth muscle cells contain thick and thin
filaments.
Found in blood vessels of the heart.
Vascular smooth muscle is a type of smooth
muscle. It is crucial muscle within the heart.
Smooth muscle cells are spindle-shaped and
contain a single central nucleus. Range from 10 to
600 um in length.
Unbranched, unstriated, uninucleate and
involuntary.
8. Epicardial Cells / Epicardium
Pericardium – sac around the heart, outer layer of heart wall.
Pericardium contains two layers, parietal layer + visceral layer –
epicardium.
Protects the heart.
Secretes factors for cardiomyocyte proliferation and survival.
Hearts injury response and regeneration.
Give rise to cardiac fibroblasts, endothelial cells and
cardiomyocytes.
Single cell layer of mesothelial origin, contain coronary blood
vessels
Composed of mesothelial cells, fat and connective tissue.
9. Conclusion
So cells of the heart…
Each individual heart cell plays a role within
the heart to make it function, without each
specific type or even without one of the
cells the heart wouldn’t be able to function
correctly due to the miscommunication
between cells.
Any question? please ask
10. Bibliography
Endocrine system. Histology Of The Endocrine System Lab. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2022, from
http://medcell.org/tbl/histology_of_the_endocrine_system/reading.php
Kartha, C. C. (1970, January 1). Structure and function of Cardiomyocyte. SpringerLink. Retrieved
December 7, 2022, from https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-85536-9_1
Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, November 16). Endocardium. Wikipedia. Retrieved December 7, 2022, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocardium
Mills, S. J., Cowin, A. J., & Kaur, P. (2013, September 16). Pericytes, mesenchymal stem cells and the wound
healing process. MDPI. Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/2/3/621
Rachel Baxter BSc, M. S. (2022, November 28). Types of muscle cells. Kenhub. Retrieved December 7, 2022,
from https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/types-of-muscle-cells
Where is the visceral pericardium located?: Socratic. Socratic.org. (2016, January 21). Retrieved December
7, 2022, from https://socratic.org/questions/where-is-the-visceral-pericardium-located
