The term "cardiac muscle" refers to the type of muscle tissue that makes up the heart. It is spelled with a /k/ sound at the beginning, as indicated by the phonetic transcription /ˈkɑrdiæk ˈmʌsəl/. The "c" in "cardiac" is pronounced as a hard /k/ sound, which is different from the soft /s/ sound in the word "civic." The "ai" in "cardiac" is pronounced as a long /aɪ/ diphthong, as in the word "eye." Overall, proper spelling and pronunciation of medical terms is crucial for clear communication in the healthcare field.
Cardiac muscle refers to the specialized type of muscular tissue found exclusively in the heart. It is responsible for the continuous, involuntary contraction and relaxation that allows the heart to pump blood throughout the body.
The structure of cardiac muscle is distinct from that of skeletal muscle because it possesses unique features that suit its specific role. Cardiac muscle cells, also referred to as cardiomyocytes, are striated in appearance due to the presence of repeating units called sarcomeres. These sarcomeres contain contractile proteins - myosin and actin - which enable the contraction of the muscle fibers.
Unlike skeletal muscles, cardiac muscles have intercalated discs, which are specialized junctions between adjacent cells. Intercalated discs consist of two distinct components: desmosomes, which provide mechanical strength and prevent separation of the cardiac cells during contraction, and gap junctions, which allow the electrical signals to pass between cells, ensuring coordinated contraction of the heart.
Cardiac muscle cells are also unique in their ability to contract without any external stimulation. They possess inherent rhythmicity due to the presence of specialized cells called pacemaker cells, which generate electrical impulses and initiate each heartbeat. This rhythmic contraction is coordinated by the conduction system of the heart, which ensures a synchronized contraction of all cardiac muscle cells and enables efficient pumping of blood.
Overall, cardiac muscle plays a crucial role in maintaining the rhythmic pumping action of the heart, allowing oxygenated blood to be delivered to all parts of the body and facilitating the removal of waste products.
The word "cardiac" comes from the Greek word "kardia", which means "heart". The term "muscle" originated from the Latin word "musculus", meaning "little mouse" due to the shape of muscles in the human body that resemble small mice. Therefore, the word "cardiac muscle" refers to the type of muscle specific to the heart.