The heart is the central organ that distributes blood throughout the body through its contractions. It consists primarily of cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells). In addition, there is connective tissue that covers the outside of the heart (epicardium) and lines the inside of the heart (endocardium, consisting of endothelial cells and connective tissue cells). The coronary vessels are responsible for supplying the heart muscle with blood. The heart valves (made of endothelium) are located at the junctions between the atria and ventricles and between the ventricles and draining blood vessels and ensure a directed blood flow.

Find out more about the possibilities to investigate heart cells and tissues in vitro.