Final answer:
The name for the arrangement allowing separate cells of the myocardium to work together is a syncytium. This is facilitated by pacemaker cells that can independently depolarize and are connected by gap junctions at intercalated discs to neighbor cells for synchronized contractions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The arrangement in which separate cells of the myocardium can function together is known as a syncytium. The pacemaker cells in the heart have the unique ability known as autorhythmicity, allowing them to depolarize independently and establish the heart rate. They are connected with gap junctions to surrounding muscle fibers and the specialized fibers of the heart's conduction system, permitting the transfer of depolarization. These features ensure that the heart contracts in a coordinated manner, pumping blood efficiently through the body.
At the microscopic level, the sarcolemmas of adjoining cardiac muscle cells are connected at the intercalated discs, which consist of desmosomes, tight junctions, and a large number of gap junctions. This structure enables the propagation of electrical signals between cells, fostering a unified contraction of the heart muscle. Intercellular connective tissue also plays a role in maintaining the integrity of these cell connections amidst the powerful forces of cardiac contractions.