A scanning electron microscopic study of the ferret atrioventricular node.

The atrioventricular (AV) node and surrounding transitional zone in the ferret heart were examined with scanning electron microscopy. This permitted the direct visualization of the three-dimensional cell shape, as well as intercellular relationships. Transitional cells were roughly cylindrical with extensively branching end processes. These cells were apposed to many adjacent transitional cells. The superficial AV nodal cells were smaller than transitional cells and were fusiform in shape. Most of the cell contacts between superficial AV nodal cells were between overlapping end processes, and there was very little branching of these cells. The deep AV nodal cells were similar to the superficial AV nodal cells, but were slightly larger and also had more cell contacts with adjacent cells. The possible significance of cell sizes and shape and intercellular relationships as they relate to atrioventricular impulse propagation and AV nodal delay are discussed.