ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Intercalated disks (ICDs) are highly organized cell-cell adhesion structures, which connect cardiomyocytes to one another. They are composed of three major complexes: desmosomes, fascia adherens, and gap junctions.

Detailed explanation-2: -Cardiac muscle cells are equipped with three distinct types of intercellular junction–gap junctions, “spot” desmosomes, and “sheet” desmosomes (or fasciae adherentes)–located in a specialized portion of the plasma membrane, the intercalated disk.

Detailed explanation-3: -Cardiac muscle cells are equipped with three distinct types of intercellular junction-gap junctions, “spot” desmosomes, and “sheet” desmosomes (or fasciae adherentes)-located in a specialized portion of the plasma membrane, the intercalated disk.

Detailed explanation-4: -Gap Junctions (Cell-to-Cell Conduction) In the heart, cardiac muscle cells (myocytes) are connected end to end by structures known as intercalated disks. These are irregular transverse thickenings of the sarcolemma, within which there are desmosomes that hold the cells together and to which the myofibrils are attached.