Intercalated discs are microscopic identifying features of cardiac muscle. Cardiac muscle consists of individual heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) connected by intercalated discs to work as a single functional organ or syncytium.hree types of cell junction make up an intercalated disc — fascia adherens, desmosomes and gap junctions. 1  Fascia adherens are anchoring sites for actin, and connect to the closest sarcomere. 2  Desmosomes stop separation during contraction by binding intermediate filaments, joining the cells together.