| intercalated disc | An electron dense junctional complex, at the end to end contacts of cardiac muscle cells, that contains gap junctions and desmosomes. most of the disc is formed of a convoluted fascia adherens type of junction into which the actin filaments of the terminal sarcomeres insert (they are therefore equivalent to half Z bands), desmosomes are also present. The lateral portion of the stepped disc contains gap junctions that couple the cells electrically and thus coordinate the contraction. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| interpubic disc | The disk of fibrocartilage that unites the pubic bones at the pubic symphysis. Synonym: discus interpubicus, interpubic disk, lamina fibrocartilaginea interpubica. (05 Mar 2000) |
| intervertebral disc | <anatomy> The intervertebral discs or nucleus pulposus are a fibro-cartilaginous disc that lie between the vertebral bodies in the spine. These disks are composed of a central gelatinous-like material that provide a cushioning or shock absorbing quality to the spinal column to axial stress. Discs may herniate or rupture, resulting in a condition known as a radiculopathy. (27 Sep 1997) |
| tilting disc valve | A variety of prosthetic cardiac valve composed of one or two discs within a retaining device. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tilting disc valve prosthesis | A low profile artificial heart valve with excellent flow characteristics. (05 Mar 2000) |
| electrophoresis, disc | Electrophoresis in which discontinuities in both the voltage and pH gradients are introduced by using buffers of different composition and pH in the different parts of the gel column. The term 'disc' was originally used as an abbreviation for 'discontinuous' referring to the buffers employed, and does not have anything to do with the shape of the separated zones. (12 Dec 1998) |
| excavation of optic disc | The normally occurring depression or pit in the centre of the optic disc. Synonym: excavatio disci, depression of optic disk, excavatio papillae, physiologic cup, physiologic excavation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Z disc | <cell biology> Region of the sarcomere into which thin filaments are inserted. Location of _ actinin in the sarcomere. (18 Nov 1997) |
| fibrous ring of intervertebral disc | The ring of fibrocartilage and fibrous tissue forming the circumference of the intervertebral disc; surrounds the nucleus pulposus, which is prone to herniation when the annulus fibrosus is compromised. Synonym: annulus fibrosus disci intervertebralis, annulus fibrosus, fibrous ring of intervertebral disc, fibrous ring. (05 Mar 2000) |