PECTINATE MUSCLES Meaning and
Definition
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Pectinate muscles are a type of muscular ridges found in the walls of certain anatomical structures, particularly in the human heart and the urinary bladder. These muscles are characterized by their comb-like appearance, with multiple parallel bundles of muscular fibers extending from the surfaces surrounding the chamber or cavity.
In the context of the heart, pectinate muscles are mainly found in the right atrium, particularly in the area known as the atrial appendage. These muscles are situated on the inner wall of the atrium and are primarily responsible for increasing the surface area, thereby allowing for greater potential contraction and facilitating the efficient filling of blood into the atrium. The pectinate muscles in the right atrium are more prominent and abundant compared to those in the left atrium.
Pectinate muscles are also present in the bladder, specifically in the region known as the trigone. The trigone is a triangular area in the urinary bladder that connects the ureters (the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder) and the urethra (the tube through which urine is expelled from the body). The pectinate muscles in the bladder aid in its expansion and contraction, assisting with the storage and elimination of urine.
Overall, pectinate muscles play an important role in the efficient functioning of the heart and bladder, contributing to their respective pumping and storage capacities.
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Musculi pectinati, see under musculus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PECTINATE MUSCLES
- oectinate muscles
- lectinate muscles
- -ectinate muscles
- 0ectinate muscles
- pwctinate muscles
- psctinate muscles
- pdctinate muscles
- prctinate muscles
- p4ctinate muscles
- p3ctinate muscles
- pextinate muscles
- pevtinate muscles
- peftinate muscles
- pedtinate muscles
- pecrinate muscles
- pecfinate muscles
- pecginate muscles
- pecyinate muscles
- pec6inate muscles
- pec5inate muscles
Etymology of PECTINATE MUSCLES
The term pectinate muscles is derived from Latin. It comes from the Latin word pectinatus, which means comb-like or resembling a comb. This term is used to describe a particular type of muscles found in the heart's atria (specifically, the right atrium). These muscles have a ridged or comb-like appearance, resembling the teeth of a comb, which is why they are referred to as pectinate muscles.
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