Cardiomyocytes
/ˌkɑːr.di.oʊˈmaɪ.ə.saɪts/noun
The specialized muscle cells that contract to make the heart beat.
Did you know?The “myo-” element comes from Greek mys, meaning “mouse,” because ancient observers thought muscles resembled little mice moving beneath the skin; it later became the scientific root for muscle.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kerd-
“Heart; the ancient root behind the heart-related element cardi- and distant English relatives such as cordial and courage.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
καρδία (kardía)
“Heart.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μῦς (mys)
“Mouse; also muscle, based on the perceived mouse-like movement beneath the skin.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
κύτος (kútos)
“Hollow vessel or container; the source of the scientific element cyt- meaning cell.”
19th Century
Scientific Latin/English
cardiomyocyte
“A technical compound formed from cardio- (“heart”) and myocyte (“muscle cell”) for a heart muscle cell.”
Modern English
English
cardiomyocytes
“Plural of cardiomyocyte: the contractile cells that form the muscular tissue of the heart.”