What type of muscle is found in the heart?

The correct answer is cardiac muscle, which is a specialized type of muscle tissue that is found exclusively in the heart. Cardiac muscle is unique in several ways; it is involuntary, meaning it operates without conscious control, and it possesses the ability to contract rhythmically and continuously to pump blood throughout the body.

This muscle type has a distinct structure characterized by branched fibers that allow the heart to contract efficiently as a cohesive unit. Additionally, cardiac muscle cells contain intercalated discs, which facilitate communication and synchronization between the cells, ensuring that the heart beats in a coordinated manner.

Skeletal muscle, on the other hand, is under voluntary control and is responsible for movement of the skeleton. Smooth muscle is found in various systems such as the digestive tract and blood vessels and also operates involuntarily. Striated muscle refers to the striped appearance of both skeletal and cardiac muscle under a microscope, which could create confusion, but the term does not specify the unique functional attributes of cardiac muscle. Thus, the focus on the heart’s specific muscle type identifies cardiac muscle as the correct answer.