Editing Intercalated disc (section)

==Clinical significance==
Mutations in the intercalated disc gene are responsible for various [[cardiomyopathies]] that can lead to [[heart failure]].<ref name="Zhao"/>
[[File:Histopathology of ruptured intercalated discs.jpg|thumb|Ruptured intercalated discs, in this case regarded as a [[visual artifact]].]]
Ruptured intercalated discs, when seen on [[histopathology]], have two main causes:
*[[Microtome]] sectioning, thereby being a [[visual artifact]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=7SxiDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA38 Page 38] in: {{cite book|title=The Etiopathogenesis of Coronary Heart Disease: A Heretical Theory Based on Morphology, Second Edition|author=Giorgio Baroldi|publisher=CRC Press|year=2004|isbn=9781498712811}}</ref>
*Forceful myocardial contraction, in turn mainly caused by [[ventricular fibrillation]]<ref name=Fineschi2016>[https://books.google.com/books?id=PcsqBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA55 Page 55] in: {{cite book|title=Pathology of the Heart and Sudden Death in Forensic Medicine|author=Vittorio Fineschi, Giorgio Baroldi, Malcolm D. Silver|publisher=CRC Press|year=2016|isbn=9781420006438}}</ref> or [[electrical injury]].<ref name="FineschiKarch2005">{{cite journal|last1=Fineschi|first1=Vittorio|last2=Karch|first2=Steven B.|last3=D'Errico|first3=Stefano|last4=Pomara|first4=Cristoforo|last5=Riezzo|first5=Irene|last6=Turillazzi|first6=Emanuela|title=Cardiac pathology in death from electrocution|journal=International Journal of Legal Medicine|volume=120|issue=2|year=2005|pages=79–82|issn=0937-9827|doi=10.1007/s00414-005-0011-8|pmid=16078070|s2cid=24759863}}</ref>
Additional signs indicating forceful myocardial contraction are:<ref name=Fineschi2016/><ref name="FineschiKarch2005"/>
*Alternating bundles of hypercontracted myocytes with hyperdistended ones.
*Square-shaped myocardiocyte nuclei.
*Hyperdistended myocardiocytes with detached sarcomeres, and in proximity of hypercontracted myocardiocytes.
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File:Cardiac myofiberbreak-up -- very high mag.jpg|Square-shaped nuclei, indicating forceful myocardial contraction.
</gallery>