Final answer:
Intercalated discs are specialized structures in cardiac muscle cells composed of desmosomes and gap junctions that support synchronized contraction and communication between the cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The specialized structures that facilitate the connection and communication between cardiac muscle cells are known as intercalated discs. These discs are essential for the synchronized contraction of the heart muscle.
Intercalated discs are unique to cardiac muscle and are composed of desmosomes and gap junctions. Desmosomes function to hold the cells together during the stress of contraction, preventing them from pulling apart, while gap junctions allow for the passage of ions and the quick transmission of action potentials between cells, creating a functional unit of contraction known as a syncytium. Collectively, these features enable the heart to function as a powerful, coordinated pump, pushing blood throughout the body.