Definition & Meaning of "myocardium"

What is "myocardium"?

The myocardium is the muscular tissue that forms the middle layer of the heart wall. It consists of specialized cardiac muscle cells that contract rhythmically to pump blood throughout the body. The myocardium is thicker in the left ventricle, which pumps oxygenated blood to the systemic circulation, compared to the right ventricle, which pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs. Its intricate structure and contractile properties enable the heart to efficiently circulate blood and maintain overall cardiovascular function.