miocardi

Miocardi, referring to the myocardial tissue of the heart, is the muscular layer that forms the majority of the heart walls. It contracts rhythmically to pump blood throughout the circulatory system. The term is often used interchangeably with myocardium in scholarly texts and clinical descriptions.

The miocardi is composed primarily of cardiac muscle cells called cardiomyocytes, which have a branched shape and abundant mitochondria. These cells are connected by intercalated discs that contain gap junctions and desmosomes, allowing rapid and coordinated contraction. The tissue also includes a rich network of blood vessels, fibrous connective tissue, and small nerve endings that modulate cardiac activity.

Functionally, miocardi acts as the heart’s engine. The rhythmic depolarization of cardiomyocytes generates electrical impulses that propagate through the conduction system and trigger systolic contraction. This process propels oxygenated or deoxygenated blood into the systemic, pulmonary, coronary, or ductal circulations, depending on the heart’s ventricles and chambers. Endothelial capillaries within the miocardi provide the oxygen and nutrient supply necessary for sustained activity.

Clinically, alterations in miocardi structure or function are central to many cardiovascular diseases. Myocardial infarction, for example, results from ischemic damage to cardiomyocytes, leading to scar formation and impaired pumping. Other conditions such as myocarditis, cardiomyopathies, and hypertrophic changes affect tissue composition, resilience, and electrical conduction. Therapeutic strategies—ranging from pharmacologic agents to surgical intervention—aim to preserve or restore miocardi integrity and function.