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Anatomy Muscular System Notes
Anatomy Muscular System Notes
Varicoity
Voslcleswith
nourotrarsmitders
AUNsnomie neuron
Cardiac muscle
This is found only in the heart wall. It is not under conscious control but, when
viewed under a microscope, cross-stripes (striations) characteristic of skeletal muscle
can be seen. Each fibre (cell) has one nucleus and one or more branches. The ends of
the cells and their branches are in very close contact with the ends and branches of
adjacent.
fibres.
cells. Microscopically, these 'joints!, or intercalated discs, appear as lines that are
thicker and darker than the ordinary cross-stripes. This arrangement gives cardiac
muscle the appearance of a sheet of muscle rather than a very large number of
individual fibres. This is significant when the heart contracts, as a wave of contraction
spreads from cell to cell across the intercalated discs, which means that the cardiac
muscle fibres do not need to be stimulated individually.
The heart has an intrinsic pacemaker system, which means that it beats in a
coordinated manner without external nerve stimulation, although the rate at which it
beats is influenced by autonomic nerve impulses, some hormones, local metabolites
and other substances.
Cross-strations
Nuclei
Myocytes
Intercalated
disks