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Heterotopic striated muscle on the surface of the brain
Virchows Archiv. A, Pathological Anatomy and Histology
|December 29, 1977
Insights
Cardiac muscle was found on the brain surface in an autopsy. This heterotopic tissue showed contractile activity until the patient
Area of Science:
- Neuropathology
- Cardiovascular Pathology
Background:
- The presence of heterotopic tissues, particularly cardiac muscle, in unusual locations is a rare phenomenon.
- Understanding the origin and implications of such findings is crucial for medical science.
Observation:
- Autopsy revealed cardiac muscle tissue on the surface of the right superior temporal gyrus in a 73-year-old female.
- Microscopic examination (light and electron) confirmed the tissue as cardiac muscle.
Findings:
- The heterotopic cardiac muscle cells were interconnected by intercalated discs.
- Myofibrils within the fibers exhibited cross-striations and indicated contractile activity up to the time of death.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for cardiac muscle to develop ectopically in the brain.
- The observed contractile activity suggests functional capacity of the heterotopic tissue.
Abstract:
Heterotopic tissue, identified by both light and electron microscopy as cardiac muscle, was detected at autopsy on the surface of the right superior temporal gyrus of a 73-year old female patient. The cells of the heterotopic tissue were interconnected by intercalated discs and the fibres contained regularly cross-striated, contracted, or relaxed myofibrils indicating a continuing contractile activity until the time of death.