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The fine structure of the conducting system of the monkey heart (Macaca mulatta)

I. The sino-atrial node and the internodal connections

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Summary

In the sino-atrial (S-A) node of the monkey heart two types of muscle cells occur: 1. typical nodal cells which are the predominant cells and form the nodal fibers. 2. “Intercalated clear cells” with various diameters (4 to 12 μm) and containing poorly developed myofibrils, rich in glycogen and demonstrating poor staining properties. These latter cells are dispersed, few in number, and never form discrete fibers of themselves, but are intercalated between the cell rows of the typical nodal fibers. Such intercalated clear cells become more numerous at the periphery of the node. Interconnection between the S-A node and the conventional atrial muscle is established by a progressive transformation of nodal fibers into atrial fibers producing an intermediate (or junctional) type of fiber at the nodal periphery. However, in addition, few nodal fibers make direct contact with the atrial cardiocytes. Our light and EM studies have failed to prove the existence of truly specialized internodal pathways. Nevertheless intercalated clear cells, nodal-like cells, junctional or intermediate type of cells are relatively frequent in valvular regions (Thebesian, Eustachian, A-V, fossa ovalis) and less frequent in other regions of the atrial wall.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Postgraduate Medical School, Budapest, Hungary

    Sz. Virágh & A. Porte

  2. Institut de Physiologie et de Chimie Biologique, Université Louis Pasteur, Section Sciences, Strasbourg, France

    Sz. Virágh & A. Porte

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  1. Sz. Virágh
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  2. A. Porte
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Additional information

This study was conducted in part in the Department of Histology and Embryology of the Medical University in Budapest.

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Virágh, S., Porte, A. The fine structure of the conducting system of the monkey heart (Macaca mulatta). Z.Zellforsch 145, 191–211 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307388

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307388

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