Regional differences in capillary density and myocyte size in the normal human heart

Significant regional morphometric differences are reported for the normal human left ventricle. Epimyocardial capillary density (2,439 capillaries/mm2) is 21% greater than endomyocardial capillary density (2,014 capillaries/mm2). The minimum intercapillary distance is, therefore, increased in the inner region. Endocardial myocytes (617 micron2) have a 53% greater cross-sectional area than epicardial myocytes (403 micron2).