The Endocardium reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Endocardium

In the heart, the endocardium is the innermost layer of cells, embryologically and biologically similar to the endothelium that lines blood vessels.

The endocardium overlies the much more voluminous myocardium, the muscular tissue responsible for the contaction of the heart. The outer layer of the heart is termed pericardium.

Role in disease

In myocardial infarction, ischemia of the myocardium can extend to the endocardium, disrupting the inner lining of the heart. Less extensive (but no less dangerous) infarctions are often "subendocardial" and do not affect the endocardium.

In infective endocarditis, the endocardium (especially the endocardium lining the heart valves) is affected by bacteria.

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