Abstract: This chapter covers morphological aspects of the fish heart. It starts with the recognition of the existence of six heart components that are present during embryonic development, and in the adult, and that are anatomically arranged in sequence: sinus venosus, atrium, atrioventricular canal, ventricle, conus arteriosus, and bulbus arteriosus. The anatomy and structure of all the cardiac components are then described and compared between the different fish groups. Data from the basal Cyclostomata, chondrichthyans, basal Osteichthyes, and more advanced teleosts are included and analyzed. Then, data on blood supply to the heart, nerves, and localization of the heart pacemaker are discussed. A separate section at the end of the chapter is com mitted to the lungfish heart. Lungfishes share many anatomical and functional characteristics with both freshwater fish and amphibians, and the lungfish heart shows some unique and very peculiar characteristics. The enormous diversification of morphological characteristics ofthe fish heart is emphasized throughout this chapter.

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