EXPLORING CARDIAC

MUSCLES
DR USMAN TARIQ
MPHIL ORAL PATHOLOGY
INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the captivating world of cardiac muscles!

Cardiac muscles play a crucial role in the cardiovascular system,

facilitating the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the heart. These
muscles possess unique characteristics that distinguish them from other
muscle tissues.
STRUCTURE OF CARDIAC MUSCLES
• Cardiac muscle fibers are striated and branched, forming a highly
organized network within the heart.
• These fibers are interconnected by specialized junctions called
intercalated discs. These discs facilitate electrical and mechanical
coupling, enabling the coordinated contraction of the heart.
• The branching nature of cardiac muscle fibers allows for efficient
transmission of electrical signals throughout the heart, ensuring
synchronous contractions.
CELLULAR COMPONENTS OF
CARDIAC MUSCLES
• Cardiac muscles consist of individual cells called cardiomyocytes,
which are striated like skeletal muscle fibers but differ in their
structural organization.
• Cardiomyocytes contain sarcomeres, the contractile units of muscle
cells, composed of overlapping actin and myosin filaments.
• Within the sarcoplasm of cardiomyocytes, a well-developed
sarcoplasmic reticulum stores and releases calcium ions necessary for
muscle contraction.
CONTRACTILE MECHANISM
• The sliding filament theory explains how cardiac muscles contract. During
contraction, the actin filaments slide over the myosin filaments, causing the
sarcomere to shorten.
• Calcium ions play a pivotal role in muscle contraction. Upon depolarization
of the cardiomyocyte, calcium is released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
The calcium ions bind to troponin, exposing binding sites on actin, allowing
myosin heads to form cross-bridges and generate force.
• Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) provides the energy for the myosin heads to
attach, detach, and move along the actin filaments, leading to muscle
contraction. ATP is generated through various metabolic pathways within
the cardiomyocytes.
FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF
CARDIAC MUSCLES
• Autorhythmicity is a unique characteristic of cardiac muscles. Specialized cells
called pacemaker cells initiate electrical impulses that spread throughout the
heart, coordinating its rhythmic contractions. These pacemaker cells reside in
the sinoatrial (SA) node and the atrioventricular (AV) node.
• Excitation-contraction coupling is the process by which electrical signals trigger
calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, leading to muscle contraction.
This process ensures the synchronized contraction of the entire heart, allowing
for efficient pumping of blood.
• The refractory period is a brief period following a cardiac contraction during
which the muscle is unresponsive to new electrical stimuli. This refractory
period allows for relaxation and efficient filling of the heart chambers with
blood before the next contraction.
REGULATION OF CARDIAC MUSCLE
CONTRACTION
• The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate and contractility. The
sympathetic division, activated during times of stress or increased demand,
releases norepinephrine, which increases heart rate and contractility. The
parasympathetic division, activated during rest or relaxation, releases
acetylcholine, which decreases heart rate and contractility.
• Hormones also play a role in regulating cardiac muscle function.
Adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine), released
during stress or exercise, enhance cardiac muscle performance by
increasing heart rate, contractility, and promoting efficient blood flow.
• External factors such as exercise, temperature, and certain medications can
influence cardiac muscle performance