Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Medical Sciences, cilt.33, sa.2, ss.425-431, 2013 (Scopus)
Objective: The precise location and structure of the sino-atrial node (SA node) and its relationships with surrounding tissues is uncertain. Therefore, our first aim in this study was to make a real 3D model of the SA node from a human heart to understand the neighborings of the structures that make it. Our second aim was to show numerical data regarding the neighborings so that such data could be useful for clinical procedures. Material and Methods: The SA node was obtained from a formalin-fixed cadaver, embedded in paraffin, 5 μm thick complete serial sections were cut and stained with Masson's trichrome stain for demonstrating the it. 3D reconstruction of SA node was generated by using a fully computerized system with XYZ motorized stage and Neurolucida software. Results: SA node was apparent in 90 of 143 histological sections as a crescent-like structure. Nodal myocytes were circumferentially arranged around an obvious central SA nodal artery and embedded in a dense connective tissue. In 3D solid views, we noted the SA node and the SA nodal artery. Crescent-like shaped SA node was located subepicardially between superior vena cava and terminal crest, and it had an extension as a tail toward and parallel to the inferior vena cava. Mean length of the node was 5.04 mm, whereas its width was 1.22 mm. The mean distance of the endocardium to its nearest point to SVC was 0.64 mm, to its nearest point to terminal crest was 2.29 mm, and to the largest part of the node was 0.73 mm. Conclusion: Our findings for the localization, anatomy, histology, and the distribution of cells in the node seem to be comparable to that of the previous studies. We have also showed nodal extensions and nodal artery in this model. © 2013 by Türkiye Klinikleri.