Cardiac muscle tissue

Definition

Cardiac muscle tissue is a specialized type of muscle found only in the heart. It is responsible for the rhythmic contractions that pump blood throughout the body.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cardiac muscle cells are striated and have a single nucleus.
2. The cells are connected by intercalated discs, which facilitate synchronized contraction.
3. Cardiac muscle tissue operates involuntarily under autonomic nervous system control.
4. It contains abundant mitochondria to meet high energy demands.
5. Unlike skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle can generate its own electrical impulses.

Review Questions

• What structural feature allows cardiac muscle cells to contract in unison?
• How does the energy demand of cardiac muscle tissue compare to other types of muscle?
• What type of control (voluntary or involuntary) governs cardiac muscle contractions?

Related terms

Skeletal Muscle Tissue: A type of striated muscle attached to bones and responsible for voluntary movements.

Smooth Muscle Tissue: Non-striated muscles found in walls of internal organs and blood vessels, controlled involuntarily.

Intercalated Discs: Specialized connections between cardiac muscle cells that enable coordinated contractions.