Ultrastructure of the atrioventricular node of the big brown bat, Eptesicus fucus. 1979

K P Bhatnagar, and B A Spoonamore

This investigation describes the ultrastructure of the atrioventricular node of Eptesicus fuscus. Two conducting cells types (nodal and transitional) are indentified which differ in location, myofibrillar content, and types of intercellular junctions. Centrally located nodal cells display variable staining intensity and contain disorganized myofibrils which rarely form sarcomeres. Desmosomes and nexus-like junctions connect the nodal cells. Transitional cells, situated peripherally, exhibit distinct sarcomeres and are attached to the adjacent cells through desmosomes and underdeveloped intercalated discs. Longitudinal arrangement of the mitochondrial cristae is frequently seen in both cells types. In the connective tissue stroma, numerous capillaries (with micropinocytotic vesicles), axons, and possibly axonal terminals, some filled with vesicles, are observed. A large ganglionated nerve trunk is present on the nodal periphery. True nexuses and neuromuscular junctions are not observed. It is suggested that nodal cell types previously reported in different vertebrates under various names are merely simple variations of the two basic types of conducting cell--nodal and transitional. No interspecific differences are observed between these cells of the big brown bat compared with those in other vertebrates.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008854 Microscopy, Electron Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen. Electron Microscopy
D009206 Myocardium The muscle tissue of the HEART. It is composed of striated, involuntary muscle cells (MYOCYTES, CARDIAC) connected to form the contractile pump to generate blood flow. Muscle, Cardiac,Muscle, Heart,Cardiac Muscle,Myocardia,Cardiac Muscles,Heart Muscle,Heart Muscles,Muscles, Cardiac,Muscles, Heart
D009210 Myofibrils The long cylindrical contractile organelles of STRIATED MUSCLE cells composed of ACTIN FILAMENTS; MYOSIN filaments; and other proteins organized in arrays of repeating units called SARCOMERES . Myofilaments,Myofibril,Myofilament
D009940 Organoids An organization of cells into an organ-like structure. Organoids can be generated in culture, e.g., self-organized three-dimensional tissue structures derived from STEM CELLS (see MICROPHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS). They are also found in certain NEOPLASMS. Organoid
D002462 Cell Membrane The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D002467 Cell Nucleus Within a eukaryotic cell, a membrane-limited body which contains chromosomes and one or more nucleoli (CELL NUCLEOLUS). The nuclear membrane consists of a double unit-type membrane which is perforated by a number of pores; the outermost membrane is continuous with the ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM. A cell may contain more than one nucleus. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed) Cell Nuclei,Nuclei, Cell,Nucleus, Cell
D002685 Chiroptera Order of mammals whose members are adapted for flight. It includes bats, flying foxes, and fruit bats. Bats,Flying Foxes,Horseshoe Bats,Pteropodidae,Pteropus,Rhinolophus,Rousettus,Bat, Horseshoe,Bats, Horseshoe,Foxes, Flying,Horseshoe Bat
D003238 Connective Tissue Tissue that supports and binds other tissues. It consists of CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS embedded in a large amount of EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX. Connective Tissues,Tissue, Connective,Tissues, Connective
D003331 Coronary Vessels The veins and arteries of the HEART. Coronary Arteries,Sinus Node Artery,Coronary Veins,Arteries, Coronary,Arteries, Sinus Node,Artery, Coronary,Artery, Sinus Node,Coronary Artery,Coronary Vein,Coronary Vessel,Sinus Node Arteries,Vein, Coronary,Veins, Coronary,Vessel, Coronary,Vessels, Coronary

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