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        Fibrous Hamartoma of Infancy

 
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The heartbeat originates in the Sino-atrial node (pacemaker of the heart), and passes to the Atrioventricular node. From Atrioventricular node impulse passes through the common bundle,  which is divided into left and right bundle branches and extends along interventricular septum to the apex of the ventricles. Apex of the ventricle is the region that is first stimulated to contract.   Image link ; Image link

SINUS NODE:    Image link  ;   Image link

The sinus node which is located superior vena caval - right atrial junction , is a subepicardial structure.  The node is spindle-shaped  and in adult hearts measures about 3mm in diameter at its widest part and 15mm in length.  A tapering "tail" of the node may be found extending intramyocardially towards the inferior caval orifice.

The sinus node is easily recognised by the light microscope at low magnification. It is made up of small cells grouped together in interconnecting fascicles set in a fibrous tissue matrix. The fibrous matrix becomes more prominent with increasing age. 

Trichrome stains delineate the node, because of its high content of connective tissue.

At the margins of the node is a short transitional area where nodal cells merge into atrial myocardium.

In places, discrete tongues of transitional cells are found which extend into the terminal crest.

ATRIOVENTRICULAR CONDUCTION SYSTEM: Image link

The myocardial bridge connecting the atria to the ventricles across the fibrous atrioventricular valve rings (the penetrating atrioventricular bundle) was found by His in 1893.          

Gross anatomical landmarks to the location of the atrioventricular system are important guides to sugeons who have to perform intracardiac procedures since trauma to any part of the system can produce serious consequences.

The atrioventricular node is located at the apex of an angle formed by the tendinous continuation of the Eustachian valve and the annular insertion of the tricuspid valve.

The coronary sinus completes the base of the triangular shape which is now known as "triangle of Koch".

The tendinous structure (tendon of todaro) inserts into the central fibrous body.

In the adult the atrioventricular node measures about 4mm in width and 8mm in length.  In histological section the compact part of the node is easily recognisable being composed of interconnecting fascicles of small cells, closely adherent to the central fibrous body.

In cross section the node appears like a half-oval lying against the fibrous body. A transitional zone of attenuated myocardial cells extends into the atrial myocardium.

Anteriorly , the node becomes the penetrating bundle as the conduction axis passes through the fibrous annulus.

The penetrating bundle turns to the left as it continues into the branching bundle.

While the penetrating bundle is enveloped by the fibrous annulus, the non-branching and branching bundles are encased by fibrous sheaths.

The bifurcation into left and right bundle branches marks the beginning of the branching bundle.

The right bundle branch is cord-like and frequently a continuation of the nodal-bundle axis. It turns downward and passes intra-myocardially into the substance of the septomarginal trabeculation directly beneath the medial papillary muscle complex.

It then passes subendocardially towards the right ventricular apex and crosses the ventricular cavity within the moderator band before ramifying.

The left bundle branch is morphologically different from the right bundle branch. It descends from the nodal-bundle axis as a sheet of cells within the subendocardial tissues of the aortic outflow tract.

             

The reason for examination of the conducting system:

In a case where there is clinical electrocardiographic evidence of rhythm or conduction abnormalities in life.

In general conduction defects such as, for example congenital heart block imply that there is anatomical disruption of the atrioventricular conduction system.

Serial sections are needed to demonstrate the 'break in the wiring' .

Examination of Sino-atrial node:

Examination is most easily made if the superior vena cava is divided 1cm above the sinocaval junction and a cuff of atria is removed.

The resulting tube about 2-3cm in length is opened longitudinally and the tissue is pinned out flat. The cut is made on the wall opposite to the atrial appendage, whose crest can be easily seen.

When fixed the tissue is blocked in series of longitudinal cuts. The node lies in those blocks on and lateral to the crest of the appendage.

Examination of Atrioventricular node and conduction system:

The AV node is examined by taking out a tissue block that contains the triangle of Koch and sectioning in the vertical axis (right angle to septal cusp), starting posteriorly.

 The fewer blocks that are taken and the more exactly they are cut with parallel sides the more likely it is that a good reconstruction will be possible.

As the sections are taken progressively more anteriorly - the AV node, the penetrating bundle and bifurcating bundle appear in the sections.

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FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF THE HEART

ANATOMY OF THE ATRIUM

ANATOMY OF THE VENTRICLE

ANATOMY OF THE CORONARY ARTERIES

AUTOPSY EXAM. OF CORONARY ARTERIES

EXAMINATION  OF CARDIAC  VALVES

CARDIAC  VALVE  DISEASE

MITRAL  VALVE LESIONS

PULMONARY VALVE DISEASE

TRICUSPID VALVE DISEASE

CARDIOMYOPATHY

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

congenital heart disease

Ischemic heart disease    

Angina pectoris

Myocardial infarction                
hypertensive heart disease            
myocardiTIS
 
GIANT CELL MYOCARDITIS    

pericardial disease  

INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS

CARDIAC HEMOCHROMATOSIS

CARDIAC AMYLOIDOSIS

HISTOPATHOLOGY REPORTING OF PERICARDIAL SPECIMEN

HEART TRANSPLANTS - PATHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION

ENDOMYOCARDIAL BIOPSY-(ALLOGRAFT REJECTION):

ISHLT SYSTEM FOR GRADING REJECTION

POST-OPERATIVE CARDIAC PATHOLOGY

PERIOPERATIVE CARDIAC PATHOLOGY

PRIMARY TUMOURS OF THE HEART

REPORTING OF CARDIAC TUMOURS

CARDIAC MYXOMA

CARDIAC RHABDOMYOMA

PAPILLARY FIBROELASTOMA

CARDIAC FIBROMA

CARDIAC LIPOMA

CARDIAC HEMANGIOMA

CARDIAC TERATOMA

MESOTHELIOMA OF ATRIOVENTRICULAR NODE

PURKINJE CELL TUMOUR

CARDIAC PARAGANGLIOMA

MALIGNANT TUMOURS OF THE HEART

CARDIAC LYMPHOMA