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cardiomyocyte

cardiomyocyte

1 8.1
A muscle cell in the heart that squeezes to push blood
  • noun
  • /ˌkɑrdioʊˈmaɪəˌsaɪt/
  • Specialized
: cardiomiocito
  • All of his cardiomyocyte regen rates are off the charts.
  • cardiomyocytes from mice
  • properties of cardiomyocytes

Examples

  • Furthermore, it is known that IL-18 is able to modulate cardiomyocyte excitability.

    Academic text (2016)
  • We found that cellular contractility, measured as a fraction of cardiomyocyte shortening, exhibited complex behavior.

    Academic text (2016)
  • However, we still have to investigate this hypothesis. Cardiomyocyte death versus survival: A possible evolutionary strategy?

    Academic text (2016)
  • Mechanical cardiomyocyte remodeling during the development of Chagas disease.

    Academic text (2016)
  • Thus, increased levels of IL-18 could help to explain altered cardiomyocyte functionality observed in both the acute and chronic phases of Chagas disease.

    Academic text (2016)
  • To our knowledge, no experimental evidence suggests alterations in Ito in cardiomyocytes from chagasic patients has been reported.

    Academic text (2016)
  • Increased levels of TGF- contribute to the reorganization of gap junctions in cardiomyocytes.

    Academic text (2016)
  • Interestingly, disruption of cardiomyocyte structure would release contractile proteins, such as troponin I, into the serum.

    Academic text (2016)
  • In summary, infection with T. cruzi appears to profoundly alter the contractile apparatus of cardiomyocytes.

    Academic text (2016)
  • The cardiomyocytes in the heart work together to ensure that blood is effectively pumped throughout the body.

Surface Forms

cardiomyocyte singular

Morphology

cardiomyocyte = myocyte (semi-transparent) = cardio + myo + cyte

The word is a regular medical prefixation of 'myocyte' with 'cardio-' meaning heart, but the specialized combining forms make it less immediately transparent to general learners.

Etymology

Cardiomyocyte comes from Greek roots cardio- 'heart', myo- 'muscle', and -cyte 'cell'. So a cardiomyocyte is literally a 'heart-muscle-cell', which explains why it is the muscle cell that contracts to help pump blood.