Cardiac muscle cells

Cardiac muscle cells are specialized cells that make up the heart muscle, allowing it to contract and pump blood efficiently. They are unique because they can contract automatically without needing a signal from the nervous system and are highly resistant to fatigue. These cells are connected by structures called intercalated discs, which enable rapid and coordinated contractions. Cardiac muscle cells have a striated appearance, similar to skeletal muscle, but are shorter, branched, and have a single nucleus. Their primary role is to maintain continuous, rhythmic heartbeats essential for circulating blood throughout the body.