What is the composition of cardiac muscle?

Cardiac muscle is uniquely structured to meet the functional demands of the heart. It is composed of interconnected fibers that form a network. This network is crucial because it allows the heart to contract as a single unit, which is essential for effective blood circulation throughout the body. The interconnectedness of the muscle fibers facilitates the rapid conduction of electrical impulses, ensuring synchronized contractions.

While cardiac muscle does have some characteristics that could be associated with striped fibers, or striations, as found in skeletal muscle, it is distinct because it is involuntary and specifically adapted to the rhythmic contractions of the heart. Additionally, cardiac muscle is not classified as voluntary muscle, which is under conscious control. Instead, its contractions are regulated by the autonomic nervous system, making it involuntary. Connective tissue does play a role in supporting cardiac muscle, but it does not define its primary composition. Therefore, the choice that accurately describes the composition and function of cardiac muscle is the network of fibers that form the heart.