Canine atrioventricular node: scanning electron microscopy and enzyme histochemistry.

Morphologic features of the canine atrioventricular (AV) node were evaluated, using histochemical cholinesterase reactions and scanning electron microscopy. Three distinct regions of the AV node were observed: the transitional zone, superficial AV node, and deep AV node. The transitional zone lacked distinct cellular arrangement, and the cells were large and round with extensive branching on the ends. Superficial AV nodal cells were elongated, tightly packed, and smaller than were transitional cells. The superficial AV node was the densest zone of the AV node. Cell-to-cell contact was end-to-end. Deep AV nodal cells were long, formed laminated fascicles, were larger than the superficial AV nodal cells, and were continuous with the AV bundle.