What kind of muscle is found in the walls of the heart?

The walls of the heart contain cardiac muscle, which is a specialized type of muscle tissue exclusive to the heart. Cardiac muscle is uniquely structured to enable the heart to pump blood efficiently. It is involuntary, meaning it operates without conscious control, and it has intercalated discs that facilitate the rapid transmission of electrical impulses between cells, allowing for synchronized contractions. This synchronization is critical for the effective functioning of the heart as a pump.

Skeletal muscle, while striated, is found in voluntary muscles throughout the body and is not responsible for the heart's contractions. Smooth muscle, also involuntary, is found in the walls of hollow organs, such as the intestines and blood vessels, but does not have the specialized properties of cardiac muscle. While cardiac muscle is technically striated, in the context of heart function, referring to it simply as cardiac muscle highlights its unique characteristics and role in heart physiology.