CARDIAC MUSCLE – 3
Intercalated disks
The image shows cardiac muscle fibers in longitudinal sections.
intercalated discs are seen as dark stained bars placed transversely in the fibers.
They are best seen after staining the sections with special stains, such as the iron hematoxylin and the phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin (PTAH), which was used to prepare the section seen on this page.
The regular transverse striation of the cardiac fibers are similar to those seen in skeletal muscle.
Cardiac muscle. Staining: Phosphotungstic hematoxylin. Medium magnification.
