myocardic

Myocardic is a term that refers to the myocardium, which is the muscular tissue of the heart. This specialized cardiac muscle is responsible for the heart's ability to contract and pump blood throughout the body. The myocardium is composed of cardiac muscle cells called cardiomyocytes, which are unique in their ability to generate electrical impulses that coordinate the heart's rhythmic beating.

The thickness of the myocardium varies in different chambers of the heart. The left ventricle, which pumps blood to the entire body, has the thickest myocardial wall. In contrast, the right ventricle, which pumps blood only to the lungs, has a thinner wall. The atria, which receive blood returning to the heart, have the thinnest myocardial walls as they only need to pump blood into the ventricles.

Conditions affecting the myocardium are collectively known as myocardial diseases or cardiomyopathies. These can include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, where the heart muscle thickens abnormally, and dilated cardiomyopathy, where the heart muscle thins and enlarges. Myocardial ischemia, often caused by coronary artery disease, occurs when the heart muscle doesn't receive enough blood, potentially leading to a heart attack. The health and function of the myocardium are crucial for overall cardiovascular health.