ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Heart
;
Monkey
;
A-V node and bundle
;
Electron microscopy
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The atrio-ventricular (A-V) node of the monkey heart is located in the focus of converging atrial muscle. Three main atrial muscle strands, coming from the atrio-ventricular ring, the dorsal wall of the atria, and the ventral part of the atrial septum, converge in the nodal region where they overlap and are interconnected. The junctional type of fibers establishing interconnection between the atrial muscle and the nodal tissue are not strictly localized at the periphery of the node, but may be traced further, along the A-V ring and coronary sinus. The A-V node consists of a loose peripheral and a compact distal part. In the former, typical nodal fibers were found, while the compact part shows an important individual variation in structure and cell-types. In some monkey hearts, the nodal fibers gradually become broader bundle fibers, while in other specimens the junctional fibers surround the compact part and than penetrate the nodal-His (N-H) region. These junctional fibers become nodal fibers or are in terminal contact with large clear cells up to 50 μ in diameter. Clear cells of various diameters are often intercalated between the cell rows of the nodal and His-bundle fibers and may form a distinct cellular gate between the node and the His-bundle.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00307163
