CARDIAC MUSCLE HISTOLOGY

BY
DR. MUDASSAR ALI ROOMI (MBBS, M. PHIL)

Cardiac muscle

Cardiac muscle
Involuntary but striated Length: 100 um Width: 15 um Nucleus: 1-2 large oval nucleus in the centre. Branching fibers*** Intercalated disc is present.*** Surrounding the muscle cells is a delicate sheath of endomysium containing a rich capillary network.

Sarcoplasm of cardiac muscle fibers

Abundant sarcoplasm (due to which cross striation are not much clear). Numerous mitochondria for continuous aerobic metabolism (occupy about 40% volume of cell) MCQ Glycogen granules, fat droplets are present. Fatty acids are the major fuel of the heart. MCQ Lipofuscin pigment granules are often found near the nuclei of cardiac muscle cells of old persons (MCQ)

Sarcotubular system
T-tubule of greater diameter than that of skeletal muscle T-tubules lie at the level of Z-disc. MCQ sarcoplasmic reticulum is less well developed No triads are present

Intercalated disc
Deeply staining cross bands 0.5-1 um thick Bands are irregular or step-like course Desmosomes, gap junctions and fascia adherens are present in it. Gap junctions (nexus) permit rapid impulse conduction between the muscle cells. Heart acts as a functional syncytium. MCQ gap junctions, provide ionic continuity between adjacent cells. These act as "electrical synapses. MCQ

Blood supply of cardiac muscle

Through coronary arteries Blood supply is greater than that of skeletal muscles***

Nerve supply of heart

Nerve supply is by autonomic nervous system (Sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers).

HOW TO DRAW IT!!!!

cardiac muscle
IDENTIFICATION POINTS**** 1. Cross striations present 2. Branching of fiberspresent 3. Intercalated disc-present 4. 1-2 oval central nuclei