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Development of the Heart

Development of the Heart

The development of the human heart, a crucial organ, commences from the mesoderm on the 18th or 19th day after fertilization. This process initiates in the cardiogenic area, a group of mesodermal cells at the embryo's head end, which evolves into elongated strands known as cardiogenic cords. These cords undergo a transformation to form hollow-centered endocardial tubes.
As the embryo undergoes lateral folding, these paired tubes approach each other, merging into a single primitive heart...

Chambers of the Heart

Chambers of the Heart

The human heart is a complex organ made up of four chambers: the right and left atria and the right and left ventricles. These internal chambers are separated by partitions known as the interatrial and interventricular septa. The exterior of the heart features a groove known as the coronary sulcus that demarcates the atria from the ventricles, while the anterior and posterior interventricular sulci distinguish between the two ventricles.
Deoxygenated blood from the body is received in the right...

Development of Blood Vessels

Development of Blood Vessels

The development of the vascular system in a fetus is a complex and intricate process that begins as early as 15 to 16 days post-conception. This process starts outside the embryo, specifically in the mesoderm of the yolk sac, chorion, and connecting stalk. Approximately two days later, the formation of blood vessels occurs within the embryo itself.
The initial formation of this system is facilitated by the small amount of yolk present in the ovum and yolk sac. Blood vessels originate from...

Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm

Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm

The normal cardiac rhythm is a synchronized electrical activity that facilitates the regular and coordinated contraction of the heart muscle. This process is essential for efficient blood circulation throughout the body. The fundamental elements involved in establishing and maintaining this rhythm include the unique electrical properties of cardiac muscle cells, the sinoatrial (SA) node's pacemaker function, the specialized conducting system, and the ionic mechanisms underlying each phase...

Heart Valves

Heart Valves

The human heart is a complex organ with an intricate system of valves that regulate blood flow. There are two main types of valves: atrioventricular (AV) valves and semilunar valves.
The AV valves prevent the backflow of blood from the ventricles to the atria during ventricular contraction. These valves function with the assistance of the chordae tendineae and papillary muscles. When the ventricles are relaxed, the chordae tendineae are slack, allowing blood to flow from the atria into the...

Conduction System of the Heart

Conduction System of the Heart

Autorhythmicity is a term that refers to the heart's inherent ability to generate electrical signals and instigate muscle contractions. This self-regulating conduction system within the heart consists of two key components: the pacemaker cells and specialized conducting cells.
The pacemaker cells are located in two primary nodes: the sinoatrial (SA) node and the atrioventricular (AV) node. The SA node pacemaker cells can autonomously depolarize, triggering an action potential that leads to the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2025

En Face Endocardial Cushion Preparation for Planar Morphogenesis Analysis in Mouse Embryos

En Face Endocardial Cushion Preparation for Planar Morphogenesis Analysis in Mouse Embryos

Published on: July 27, 2022

Early heart development: examining the dynamics of function-form emergence.

Noémie Combémorel¹, Natasha Cavell¹, Richard C V Tyser¹

¹Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge CB2 0AW, U.K.

Biochemical Society Transactions

|July 9, 2024

Summary

Early heart development involves complex changes in form and function, crucial for preventing congenital heart defects. Understanding these processes offers insights into disease and potential treatments.

Keywords:

cardiovascular physiology cardiovascular progenitor cells developmental biology embryogenesis heart

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Area of Science:

Developmental biology
Cardiovascular science
Biomedical engineering

Background:

The embryonic heart transforms into a four-chambered organ, essential for life.
Cardiac development involves precise molecular, cellular, and biomechanical interactions.
Heart malformations are the most common congenital birth defects, affecting ~35% of cases.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the morphogenetic processes of early heart formation.
To explore the dynamics and mechanisms of early cardiac function.
To highlight the interplay between cardiac form and function and its relevance to congenital defects.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on cardiac development and function.
Analysis of molecular, cellular, and biomechanical factors.
Discussion of emerging techniques and models in the field.

Main Results:

Early heart development is a dynamic process involving intricate form-function relationships.
Understanding these dynamics is key to identifying causes of congenital heart defects.
Interplay between form and function provides a blueprint for therapeutic strategies.

Conclusions:

The developing heart serves as a critical model for understanding fundamental biological principles.
Insights into cardiac morphogenesis and function can improve diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease.
Future research directions include advanced models and techniques for exploring cardiac development.