Cardiac muscles are:

Study for the NHCO Phlebotomy Test. Experience flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your phlebotomy exam!

Multiple Choice

Cardiac muscles are:

Explanation:
Cardiac muscle tissue is striated due to the presence of sarcomeres, but its fibers are branched and join together at intercalated discs. This unique branching with intercalated discs enables rapid electrical coupling and coordinated contraction of the heart, so the heart can pump efficiently as a single unit. That combination—striated fibers that branch—is what sets cardiac muscle apart from other muscle types. Non-striated and unbranched describes smooth muscle, which is spindle-shaped. Striated and parallel describes skeletal muscle, which has long, parallel, unbranched fibers.

Cardiac muscle tissue is striated due to the presence of sarcomeres, but its fibers are branched and join together at intercalated discs. This unique branching with intercalated discs enables rapid electrical coupling and coordinated contraction of the heart, so the heart can pump efficiently as a single unit. That combination—striated fibers that branch—is what sets cardiac muscle apart from other muscle types.

Non-striated and unbranched describes smooth muscle, which is spindle-shaped. Striated and parallel describes skeletal muscle, which has long, parallel, unbranched fibers.

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