The endocardium is the thin, smooth inner lining of the heart chambers and valves. It consists of a single layer of endothelial cells on a thin layer of connective tissue and is continuous with the lining of the blood vessels. Beneath it lies a subendocardial layer that carries the Purkinje fibres.
| Location | Lines all four chambers of the heart and covers the valve leaflets, chordae tendineae and papillary muscles. |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Blood Supply | Diffusion from blood within the chambers; Subendocardial branches of the coronary arteries |
Provides a smooth, non-clotting surface for blood flow through the heart and forms the outer covering of the valves. Its endothelial cells also release substances that influence heart muscle function.
Damage to the endocardial surface, especially on valves, allows bacteria to settle and cause infective endocarditis. The subendocardial layer is the region most vulnerable to reduced coronary blood flow, so ischaemia often begins there. A damaged endocardial surface after a heart attack can become a site for clot formation.
Infection of the endocardium, usually on the valves, forming vegetations of bacteria and clot. It causes fever, new murmurs and emboli, and needs prolonged antibiotics and sometimes surgery.
Scarring of the endocardium and underlying muscle, most common in tropical regions. It stiffens the ventricles and causes restrictive heart failure.
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