histology
Last reviewed 01/2018
Histologically, the heart can be considered as a modified blood vessel with homologous layers:
- endocardium; equivalent to tunica intima
- myocardium; equivalent to tunica media
- epicardium; equivalent to tunica externa
In addition, the connective tissue elements of the heart are elaborately arranged as the cardiac skeleton. This provides an attachment for the valves and a means of maintaining the electrical independence of chambers.