The endothelium, which forms the inner cell lining of all blood vessels and lymphatics in the body, is a spatially distributed organ. Superiorly, is the second layer: a subendocardial connective tissue which is continuous with the connective tissue of the myocardium. Epicardium: the outer protective layer of the heart. Damage to the cardiovascular endothelium not only develops with heart disease, but is one of the first steps on the path to heart disease, detectable even before structural changes to the vessel wall are apparent. The endothelium is a layer of cells on the inside of blood vessels and the heart. Endothelia are considered the “brains” of blood vessels. Far from being inert, it is metabolically active and produces a variety of vasoactive mediators. Branches of the heart’s conduction system are immersed into the subendocardial layer. The heart wall is composed of connective tissue, endothelium, and cardiac muscle. The heart wall is divided into three layers: epicardium, myocardium, and endocardium. Furthermore, this tissue has an embryonic mesodermal origin. The endothelium is a thin membrane that coats the inside of blood vessels and the heart. The body tries to compensate for this by ordering the heart to pump harder to maintain normal flow by raising the blood pressure. Endothelium is a specialized type of epithelium found in the lining of blood and lymphatic vessels. The endothelium is … It is the cardiac muscle that enables the heart to contract and allows for the synchronization of the heartbeat. Damaged endothelium therefore contributes to hypertension. The endothelial layer has a tone that contributes to the control of blood pressure. The inner layer lines the heart chambers and is made of endothelial cells. Damage to the endothelium contributes to the development of atherosclerosis, and hence to possible myocardial infarction and subsequent heart failu … The endothelial cells ultimately determine the health of your blood vessels and play a … As mentioned earlier the endothelial cells do a lot more than just regulate blood flow with nitric oxide, so damaging them has many other consequences. The tone of the endothelial layer also determines how much work is needed from the heart to pump blood through the body. However, research over the last 25 years has shown that the endothelium is an active, multi-functional organ that plays a vital role in metabolic, immunologic, and cardiovascular health. The endothelium weighs approximately 1 kg in the average patient and covers a total surface area of 4000 to 7000 square meters. Because it is adjacent to the bloodstream, the endothelium can signal a blood vessel’s muscle to respond to changes in pressure and inflammation. 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