[Intermitochondrial contacts of cardiomyocytes].

A new type of intermembrane junctions in the rat cardiomyocytes is described: intermitochondrial junctions. These junctions are characterized by the maximal rapprochement or tight going of some regions of both the outer membranes of neighboring mitochondria, accompanied by a prominent local increase in the inner and outer membrane densities simultaneously with some increase in the electron density of intermembrane spaces. Examination of serial sections has shown that the cardiomyocyte mitochondria are connected by these junctions to make the unite system. Besides, contacts of the mitochondrial outer membrane with plasma membrane are described in the gap junction zones.