Distribution of cholinesterase within the sinus node and AV node of the human heart

Distribution of cholinesterase within the sinus node, AV node and His bundle of the human heart was studied utilizing acetylthiocholine as the substrate. Cholinesterase is present in large amounts in the conduction system tissue, much smaller amounts in right atrial myocardium and was not observed in ventricular myocardium. The sinus node artery was devoid of cholinesterase, as was the sarcolemma and nucleus of cells in the conduction system. Cholinergic nerve endings stained the most heavily of all tissue studied and were more numerous in the sinus node than the AV node. Stellate‐shaped cells previously suggested to be the pace‐making site in the sinus node were found to contain abundant cholinesterase. Fibers in the AV nodal bypass tract, which lies between the AV node and right atrial endocardium, also contain cholinesterase. Within individual cells of the sinus node cholinesterase could be identified within myofibrils, with periodic absence in the linear staining most likely corresponding to the Z bands. Other organelles within the cells also contained cholinesterase, but their precise definition was impossible with the present technics. Possible functional significance of these histochemical observations were discussed.