Answer:
The heart muscle, or myocardium, has shorter and thicker fibers —capable of generating action potential— compared to skeletal muscle, both of which are different from visceral smooth muscle. It is an involuntary muscle and cannot be exercised like the striated muscle of the limbs.
Explanation:
The heart muscle is called the myocardium and is made up of specialized cells called cardiomyocytes. It is a muscle with a striated appearance, like skeletal muscle, but with a different structure and function:
- The muscle fibers of the myocardium are shorter and thicker.
- The cardiomyocyte can generate action potentials, on which cardiac automatism is based.
- They form one single organ, the heart, whose function is to pump blood, while the skeletal muscle forms several different types of muscles.
- The heart muscle is involuntary, and its activation depends on the autonomic nervous system and cardiac automatism.
Both types of muscle are different from the visceral smooth muscle.
Can the heart muscle be controlled like other muscles?
No, the cardiac muscle is involuntary and with automatic activity, regulated by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
Can the heart muscle be exercised like other muscles?
No, the heart muscle develops its activity without the need to be exercised. However, its fibers can hypertrophy and increase with the effort of its pumping activity, as happens in high blood pressure. This is not a good thing and is linked to cardiovascular disease.
