HEART
ANATOMY
Heart
Walls
Epicardium
- The epicardium is the outer layer of the wall of the heart.
It is composed of connective tissue covered by epithelium. The
epicardium is also known as the visceral pericardium.
Provides
an outer protective layer for the heart.
Myocardium - Myocardium is the muscular middle
layer of the wall of the heart. It is composed of spontaneously
contracting cardiac muscle fibers which allow the heart to contract.
Stimulates
heart contractions to pump blood from the ventricles and relaxes
the heart to allow the artria to receive blood.
Endocardium
- The endocardium is the inner layer of the heart. It consists
of epithelial tissue and connective tissue.
Lines
the inner cavities of the heart, covers heart valves and is
continuous with the inner lining of blood vessels.
Purkinje
fibers are located in the endocardium. They participate in the
contraction of the heart muscle.