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Cardiac Muscle
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cardiac muscle (microscopic) |
 | Cardiac muscle cells are arranged in a
branching network. The individual cells are somewhat irregular in
shape. They are much smaller than skeletal muscle cells and have a
single nucleus. They have a striped appearance under the
microscope like skeletal muscle cells. |
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cardiac muscle (whole mount)
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| Cardiac muscle contractions do not
require nerve stimulation. The cells are specialized to contract
rhythmically on their own. The internal control system in the
heart serves to coordinate the muscle cell contractions to produce
an organized productive heart beat. The external nerve supply to
the heart is autonomic. It serves to modify cardiac contractions
to meet changing body needs. |
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