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Leptomeric fibrils and T-tubule desmosomes in the Z-band region of the mouse heart papillary muscle

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Summary

The papillary muscle of the heart of adult white mice is investigated. Intrafibrillarly located leptomeric fibrils, frequently encountered in the Z-band region of the myofibrils. The leptomeric fibrils are always running in a transverse direction and often in close proximity to the transverse tubules (which are also located at this level). There seems to be a close connection between the dense striae of the leptofibrils and the Z-bands of ordinary myofibrils. The leptomeric fibrils are spindle-shaped and have a length varying between 0.6 and 1.2 μm. The banding periodicity of the fibrils is approximately 0.16 μm.

Occasionally desmosomes are observed in the T-tubule system.

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Myklebust, R., Jensen, H. Leptomeric fibrils and T-tubule desmosomes in the Z-band region of the mouse heart papillary muscle. Cell Tissue Res. 188, 205–215 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222631

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