Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFunctionAnatomyAssociated Conditions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Function
Anatomy
Associated Conditions
Theendocardiumis a thin, smooth tissue that makes up the lining of thechambers and valves of the heart. The innermost layer of the heart’s walls, it serves as a barrier between cardiac muscles and the bloodstream and contains necessary blood vessels. It also houses the heart’sconduction system, which regulates the activity of cardiac muscles.
Given this vital role of both directing blood through the heart and regulating heartbeat, problems in the endocardium can have drastic health effects. Most notable among these isendocarditis, an infection and inflammation of these tissues that affect the valves particularly.
This article offers a quick look at the anatomy and function of endocardium, as well as its association with health problems.
The Function of the Endocardium
The heart, tasked with pumping blood throughout the body, is composed of four chambers, and these are lined with endocardium. As the innermost layer of the heart’s walls, it serves two important functions:
Heart Valve Disease: Treatment Considerations
Anatomy of the Endocardium
Alongside what it does, it’s also important to get a sense of the location and structure of the endocardium.
Location
As the inner lining of the heart, the endocardium is found along the walls of the four chambers of the heart (the left and right ventricles as well as the left and right atria). In addition, this tissue represents the outer layer of the tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic valves, which serve as gateways between the chambers.
The endocardium is one of three layers that make up the heart’s walls. As the innermost of these, it’s connected to the myocardium, which is the thickest of the layers and consists of the heart muscles. Surrounding the myocardium is the epicardium, a tissue that contains the primary nerves, vessels, and arteries that serve the heart itself.
Structure
The endocardium is composed of three sub-layers, which define its function:
Medical Conditions Associated With the Endocardium
Given its central role in the heart, conditions of the endocardium can have serious implications.
Endocarditis
Endocarditis is an infection andinflammationof the endocardium. It is the most significant and most common condition of the endocardium. As an overview:
Endocarditis usually arises when patients have had other heart problems or have artificial valves, so the prognosis for endocarditis is relatively poor.
What Is the Life Expectancy With Endocarditis?
The Significance of Cardiac Remodeling
Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP)
Mitral Valve Prolapse: Is It Dangerous?
Endomyocardial Fibrosis
Endomyocardial fibrosis is a heart condition that occurs when fibrous tissue replaces normal, healthy cells in the lining of heart chambers. It also can affect valves and leads to narrowing of the ventricles and the heart’s ability to pump blood.
It’s unclear what causes endomyocardial fibrosis and it is often misdiagnosed.Medications to treatheart failure, such as angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) inhibitors, have improved the outlook for people diagnosed with endomyocardial fibrosis.
Still, complications can be life-threatening and include heart arrhythmias likeatrial fibrillation, stroke, and organ damage. In severe cases, heart valve replacements and even heart transplants may be needed.
Endocardial Fibroelastosis
But, like endomyocardial fibrosis, the precise cause and the relationship to atypical heart structure is unclear. Treatment is challenging and the prognosis is typically poor.Researchers continue to evaluateautoimmune disease, infections, and other potential reasons for the condition, which can lead to arrhythmias and congestive heart failure.
The Link to Barth SyndromeEndocardial fibroelastosis is often seen in children (mostly males) diagnosed withBarth syndrome, a genetic condition seen in only about 150 documented cases in the literature.It leads to cardiomyopathy. Rarely, symptoms may improve as a child grows.
The Link to Barth Syndrome
Endocardial fibroelastosis is often seen in children (mostly males) diagnosed withBarth syndrome, a genetic condition seen in only about 150 documented cases in the literature.It leads to cardiomyopathy. Rarely, symptoms may improve as a child grows.
What Is Cardiomyopathy?
Carcinoid Heart Disease
Sometimes referred to as “Hedinger syndrome” is an advancement ofcarcinoid syndrome, a spectrum of disorders arising from excess hormone secretion. As such, symptoms include facial flushing, chronicdiarrhea, hypotension (low blood pressure), and others.
Eventually, this can lead toright heart failure, causing:
Summary
The endocardium, an inner lining of the heart, contains blood vessels and transmits electrical impulses that keep the heart beating properly. It is found on the inside walls of all four chambers of the heart.
Inflammation, infection, and tissue changes in the endocardium can lead to significant and often life-threatening health conditions. Talk to your healthcare provider about the diagnosis and treatment of endocarditis and related conditions that can affect the heart.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vaskovic J.Layers of the heart. Kenhub.Ho YS.Anatomy of the heart. Textbook of Cardiology.Columbia University Medicine.Heart valves, anatomy and function.Feger J.Endocardium: radiology reference article. Radiopaedia.Hill M.Cardiovascular system: Heart histology. UNSW Embryology.Benvenga R, De Rosa R, Silverio A et al.Infective endocarditis and diabetes mellitus: Results from a single-center study from1994 to 2017. PLoS One. 2019;14(11). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0223710American Heart Association.Mitral valve prolapse.National Organization of Rare Disorders.Endomyocardial fibrosis.Lungu ND, Dujawara A.Complications of Endomyocardial Fibrosis and Their Physiological Compromise: A Review.Curr Probl Cardiol. 2023 Aug;48(8):101730. doi: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.101730Barkhordarian M, Ghorbanzadeh A, Frishman WH, Aronow WS.Endocardial Fibroelastosis: A Comprehensive Review.Cardiol Rev. 2024 Jan 17. doi: 10.1097/CRD.0000000000000653.Aldawsari KA, Alhuzaimi AN, Alotaibi MT, Albert-Brotons DC.Endocardial fibroelastosis in infants and young children: a state-of-the-art review.Heart Fail Rev. 2023 Sep;28(5):1023-1031. doi: 10.1007/s10741-023-10319-0.MedlinePlus.Barth syndrome.Barth Syndrome Foundation.Barth syndrome.American Heart Association.Heart Failure Signs and Symptoms.Weerakkody Y, Carroll D.Carcinoid heart disease. Radiopaedia.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vaskovic J.Layers of the heart. Kenhub.Ho YS.Anatomy of the heart. Textbook of Cardiology.Columbia University Medicine.Heart valves, anatomy and function.Feger J.Endocardium: radiology reference article. Radiopaedia.Hill M.Cardiovascular system: Heart histology. UNSW Embryology.Benvenga R, De Rosa R, Silverio A et al.Infective endocarditis and diabetes mellitus: Results from a single-center study from1994 to 2017. PLoS One. 2019;14(11). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0223710American Heart Association.Mitral valve prolapse.National Organization of Rare Disorders.Endomyocardial fibrosis.Lungu ND, Dujawara A.Complications of Endomyocardial Fibrosis and Their Physiological Compromise: A Review.Curr Probl Cardiol. 2023 Aug;48(8):101730. doi: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.101730Barkhordarian M, Ghorbanzadeh A, Frishman WH, Aronow WS.Endocardial Fibroelastosis: A Comprehensive Review.Cardiol Rev. 2024 Jan 17. doi: 10.1097/CRD.0000000000000653.Aldawsari KA, Alhuzaimi AN, Alotaibi MT, Albert-Brotons DC.Endocardial fibroelastosis in infants and young children: a state-of-the-art review.Heart Fail Rev. 2023 Sep;28(5):1023-1031. doi: 10.1007/s10741-023-10319-0.MedlinePlus.Barth syndrome.Barth Syndrome Foundation.Barth syndrome.American Heart Association.Heart Failure Signs and Symptoms.Weerakkody Y, Carroll D.Carcinoid heart disease. Radiopaedia.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Vaskovic J.Layers of the heart. Kenhub.Ho YS.Anatomy of the heart. Textbook of Cardiology.Columbia University Medicine.Heart valves, anatomy and function.Feger J.Endocardium: radiology reference article. Radiopaedia.Hill M.Cardiovascular system: Heart histology. UNSW Embryology.Benvenga R, De Rosa R, Silverio A et al.Infective endocarditis and diabetes mellitus: Results from a single-center study from1994 to 2017. PLoS One. 2019;14(11). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0223710American Heart Association.Mitral valve prolapse.National Organization of Rare Disorders.Endomyocardial fibrosis.Lungu ND, Dujawara A.Complications of Endomyocardial Fibrosis and Their Physiological Compromise: A Review.Curr Probl Cardiol. 2023 Aug;48(8):101730. doi: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.101730Barkhordarian M, Ghorbanzadeh A, Frishman WH, Aronow WS.Endocardial Fibroelastosis: A Comprehensive Review.Cardiol Rev. 2024 Jan 17. doi: 10.1097/CRD.0000000000000653.Aldawsari KA, Alhuzaimi AN, Alotaibi MT, Albert-Brotons DC.Endocardial fibroelastosis in infants and young children: a state-of-the-art review.Heart Fail Rev. 2023 Sep;28(5):1023-1031. doi: 10.1007/s10741-023-10319-0.MedlinePlus.Barth syndrome.Barth Syndrome Foundation.Barth syndrome.American Heart Association.Heart Failure Signs and Symptoms.Weerakkody Y, Carroll D.Carcinoid heart disease. Radiopaedia.
Vaskovic J.Layers of the heart. Kenhub.
Ho YS.Anatomy of the heart. Textbook of Cardiology.
Columbia University Medicine.Heart valves, anatomy and function.
Feger J.Endocardium: radiology reference article. Radiopaedia.
Hill M.Cardiovascular system: Heart histology. UNSW Embryology.
Benvenga R, De Rosa R, Silverio A et al.Infective endocarditis and diabetes mellitus: Results from a single-center study from1994 to 2017. PLoS One. 2019;14(11). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0223710
American Heart Association.Mitral valve prolapse.
National Organization of Rare Disorders.Endomyocardial fibrosis.
Lungu ND, Dujawara A.Complications of Endomyocardial Fibrosis and Their Physiological Compromise: A Review.Curr Probl Cardiol. 2023 Aug;48(8):101730. doi: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.101730
Barkhordarian M, Ghorbanzadeh A, Frishman WH, Aronow WS.Endocardial Fibroelastosis: A Comprehensive Review.Cardiol Rev. 2024 Jan 17. doi: 10.1097/CRD.0000000000000653.
Aldawsari KA, Alhuzaimi AN, Alotaibi MT, Albert-Brotons DC.Endocardial fibroelastosis in infants and young children: a state-of-the-art review.Heart Fail Rev. 2023 Sep;28(5):1023-1031. doi: 10.1007/s10741-023-10319-0.
MedlinePlus.Barth syndrome.
Barth Syndrome Foundation.Barth syndrome.
American Heart Association.Heart Failure Signs and Symptoms.
Weerakkody Y, Carroll D.Carcinoid heart disease. Radiopaedia.
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