CARDIOMYOCYTES Meaning and
Definition
-
Cardiomyocytes, also known as cardiac myocytes or cardiac muscle cells, are specialized cells that make up the bulk of the heart muscle. These cells are responsible for the contraction and relaxation of the heart, which enables it to pump blood throughout the body.
Cardiomyocytes are unique in that they possess both muscular and electrical properties. Structurally, they contain numerous contractile filaments called myofibrils, which are made up of proteins such as actin and myosin. This arrangement allows for the ability to contract and generate force.
In addition to their contractile function, cardiomyocytes have a distinct electrical behavior. They are capable of initiating and conducting electrical impulses that regulate the heart's rhythm. This electrical activity is crucial for coordinating the contraction of all the cardiac muscle cells, ensuring efficient pumping of blood.
Furthermore, cardiomyocytes possess the ability to regulate their own contractions through a process called calcium-induced calcium release. This mechanism involves the release of calcium ions from internal stores, which triggers the contraction of the myofibrils. This is essential for maintaining and adjusting the strength and timing of the heartbeat.
Due to their vital role in maintaining cardiac function, any dysfunction or damage to cardiomyocytes can lead to serious conditions such as heart failure or arrhythmias. Studying cardiomyocytes is crucial for understanding the mechanisms underlying these conditions and for developing effective therapies to treat them.
Etymology of CARDIOMYOCYTES
The word "cardiomyocytes" is derived from the Greek words "kardia" meaning "heart", "myo" meaning "muscle", and "cyte" meaning "cell". Therefore, "cardiomyocytes" can be broken down into "cardio" meaning "heart", "myo" meaning "muscle", and "cytes" meaning "cells". It refers to the specific cells found in the muscle tissue of the heart.
