Corpus: Pectinate muscle
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from Latin: musculus - muscle; pecten - comb
English (s)
Definition[Bearbeiten]
The musculi pectinati are fine muscle ridges within the right and left atrium of the heart, mainly in the area of the auricles (auriculae cordis).
Anatomy[Bearbeiten]
Macroscopically, the pectinate muscles can be visualised by opening the atria. They originate from the crista terminalis. Their inter-individually very varied relief characterises the fissured inner lining of the right atrium and the two auricles.
Its name comes from the parallel alignment of the muscle ridges, which is remotely reminiscent of a comb. In the left atrium, the pectinate muscles are less pronounced than in the right atrium and are limited to the area of the auricle. The most prominent muscle ridge in the right atrium is known as the taenia sagittalis.
See also: Heart
Function[Bearbeiten]
The pectinate muscles increase the contraction force of the corresponding atrial segment without causing a significant increase in the mass of the atrial wall.