Atrial syncytium

Atrial syncytium

The Atrial Syncytium is a network of cardiac muscle cells connected by gap junctions called intercalated discs that lends to the coordinated contraction of the atria. These junctions offer a very low resistance to electrical flow and thus the heart muscle acts as a syncetium. Ventricular Syncytium refers to the same network in the ventricle.

See also

* Atrium (heart)
* Heart

intercalated disc is a junction where the membranes of cardiacmyocytes are fused and this is almost totally permeable for the the diffusion of ions through it. therefore action potential arising in any cell will result in to spread of action potential to whole of the muscle.


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