Function Of Intercalated Discs In Heart Muscle

The human heart is made up of cardiac muscle. Wall of the heart muscle cells unique junctions called intercalated discs gap junctions link the cells together and define their borders.

Cardiac Muscle Assignment Point

The increased surface area of the finger like extensions of cell membrane provides ample room for these connections to form.

Function of intercalated discs in heart muscle. In function the cardiac muscles are said to be similar to the smooth muscles. It is only when it functions properly that the heart can work effectively. Intercalated discs are part of the sarcolemma and contain two structures important in cardiac muscle contraction.

Intercalated discs are small connections that join cardiac muscle cells cardiomyocytes to each other. Gap junctions and desmosomes. Intercalated discs are microscopic identifying features of cardiac muscle.

A gap junction forms channels between adjacent cardiac muscle fibers that allow the depolarizing current produced by cations to flow from one cardiac muscle cell to the next. These are found only in cardiac tissue. Gap junctions when one cardiac muscle cell is stimulated to contract a gap junction.

There are a number of functions of intercalated discs. Cardiac muscle consists of individual heart muscle cells connected by intercalated discs to work as a single functional organ or syncytium. Intercalated discs play a vital role in holding cardiac muscle cells together using the fascia adherens and desmosomes.

In human cardiovascular system. Intercalated disc s are the major portal for cardiac cell to cell communication which is required for coordinated muscle contraction and maintenance of circulation. Desmosomes are other structures.

The gap junctions promote diffusion of ions between cells and allow waves of depolarization to spread over the entire heart by passing from cell to cell. They occur at the z line of the sarcomere and can be visualized easily when observing a longitudinal section. Intercalated discs function purpose the primary role of the cross bands is to hold the adjacent cells together by providing sites of strong adhesion.

By contrast skeletal muscle consists of multinucleated muscle fibers and exhibit no intercalated discs. Intercalated discs support synchronized contraction of cardiac tissue. Intercalated discs connect cardiac muscle cells.

Gap junctions inside the intercalated discs relay electrical impulses from one cardiac muscle cell to another. These structures are highly specialized and enable the coordinated function of the heart cells known as myocytes to allow the heart to beat. An intercalated disc forms connections between neighboring cells in the heart.

Since the muscles primarily contract so they lead the muscle cells to shorten up.

Cardiac Muscle Veterinary Histology