Endocardial cushions
Endocardial Cushions[edit | edit source]
Diagram showing the location of endocardial cushions in the developing heart.
The endocardial cushions are specialized structures found in the developing heart of vertebrates, including humans. They play a crucial role in the formation of the heart valves and the septa that separate the different chambers of the heart. The development and proper functioning of the endocardial cushions are essential for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system.
Structure[edit | edit source]
The endocardial cushions are composed of a combination of extracellular matrix components, including collagen, elastin, and proteoglycans. They are located in the atrioventricular (AV) canal, which is the region between the atria and the ventricles in the heart. The cushions are formed by the migration and transformation of specialized cells called endocardial cells.
Development[edit | edit source]
During embryonic development, the endocardial cushions arise from the endocardium, which is the innermost layer of the heart. Initially, the endocardial cushions appear as swellings in the AV canal. As development progresses, these swellings fuse together and undergo remodeling to form the valves and septa of the heart.
Function[edit | edit source]
The main function of the endocardial cushions is to provide support and structure to the developing heart. They serve as a scaffold for the formation of the heart valves, which ensure the unidirectional flow of blood through the heart. The cushions also contribute to the formation of the atrial and ventricular septa, which separate the left and right sides of the heart.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Abnormal development or dysfunction of the endocardial cushions can lead to various congenital heart defects. For example, failure of the cushions to fuse properly can result in atrioventricular septal defects, where there is a hole between the atria and ventricles. These defects can cause significant problems with heart function and may require surgical intervention.
References[edit | edit source]
See Also[edit | edit source]
 | This Heart-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
