Ventricular Syncytium
Encyclopedia
The ventricular syncytium
is a network of cardiac muscle cells connected by gap junctions that lends to the coordinated contraction of the ventricles
. Atrial syncytium
refers to the same network in the atria.
Syncytium
In biology, a syncytium is a large cell-like structure; filled with cytoplasm and containing many nuclei. Most cells in eukaryotic organisms have a single nucleus; syncytia are specialized forms used by various organisms.The term may also refer to cells that are connected by specialized membrane...
is a network of cardiac muscle cells connected by gap junctions that lends to the coordinated contraction of the ventricles
Ventricle (heart)
In the heart, a ventricle is one of two large chambers that collect and expel blood received from an atrium towards the peripheral beds within the body and lungs. The Atria primes the Pump...
. Atrial syncytium
Atrial syncytium
The atrial syncytium is a network of cardiac muscle cells connected by intercalated discs that lends to the coordinated contraction of the atria. Electrical resistance through intercalated discs is very low, thus allowing free diffusion of ions...
refers to the same network in the atria.