Myocardium of the Heart

By
Regina Bailey
Regina Bailey
Biology Expert
  • B.A., Biology, Emory University
  • A.S., Nursing, Chattahoochee Technical College
Regina Bailey is a board-certified registered nurse, science writer and educator. Her work has been featured in "Kaplan AP Biology" and "The Internet for Cellular and Molecular Biologists."
Learn about our Editorial Process
Updated on January 13, 2020

Myocardium Definition

Myocardium
Falty14 /Wikimedia Commons/CC by SA 4.0

Myocardium is the muscular middle layer of the wall of the heart. It is composed of spontaneously contracting cardiac muscle fibers which allow the heart to contract. Heart contraction is an autonomic (involuntary) function of the peripheral nervous system. The myocardium is surrounded by the epicardium (outer layer of the wall of the heart) and the endocardium (inner layer of the heart).

Function of the Myocardium

Myocardium stimulates heart contractions to pump blood from the ventricles and relaxes the heart to allow the atria to receive blood. These contractions produce what is known as a heart beat. The beating of the heart drives the cardiac cycle which pumps blood to cells and tissues of the body.

Format
mla apa chicago
Your Citation
Bailey, Regina. "Myocardium of the Heart." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/myocardium-anatomy-373234. Bailey, Regina. (2020, August 27). Myocardium of the Heart. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/myocardium-anatomy-373234 Bailey, Regina. "Myocardium of the Heart." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/myocardium-anatomy-373234 (accessed April 19, 2024).