The phrase "pig heart" refers to the heart of a pig, which is an animal. In some cases, it might also refer to using a pig's heart for medical purposes, like organ transplant. Full definition
The scientist tested their set - up using frozen human skin cells, segments of pig heart tissue, and sections of pig arteries in volumes almost 20 times larger than previously attempted samples. (aaas.org)
The researchers chose the pig model because pig heart size and physiology is very similar to humans. (sciencedaily.com)
And today, a group of researchers headed by Bruno Reichart at the University of Munich in Germany announced they had nearly doubled the previous survival record for a life - sustaining pig heart transplant in a baboon, to 90 days. (sciencemag.org)