46. Intercalated discs contain anchoring desmosomes that pre…

46. Intercalated discs contain anchoring desmosomes that prevent cell separation, and gap junctions that allow ions to travel from cell to cell enabling greater communication by increasing the surface area, transmitting current across the entire heart. The fibrous cardiac skeleton acts as a tendon, an insertion and insulator, giving the cardiac cells something to pull or exert their force on and isolating atrial from ventricular contractions