Normal·Cardiovascular·Myocardium
Cardiac muscle — intercalated discs
Stain: H&E·Magnification: 40x·Tissue: Cardiac muscle·3 labeled regions
Wikimedia Commons · File:Dogcardiacmuscle400.jpg · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dogcardiacmuscle400.jpg (CC-licensed)
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Striated branching fibers with central nuclei. Intercalated discs (gap junctions + desmosomes) couple cells electrically and mechanically — the functional syncytium of the heart.
Labeled regions (3)
- 1Intercalated disc
Stair-step junction — contains gap junctions, desmosomes, fascia adherens.
- 2Central nucleus
Single, ovoid, central — distinguishes from skeletal (peripheral).
- 3Striations
Sarcomeres confirm cardiac is striated, unlike smooth.
