Friday, July 15, 2011

Cardiac Muscle

Cardiac muscle is a type of striated muscle found in the walls and foundation of the heart. It is one of three types of muscles - the other two being skeletal and smooth muscle.

Contractions of the cardiac muscle, are what pump blood out of the atria and ventricles throughout the body. The cardiac muscle is highly resistant to fatigue and has a high number of mitochondria, which enable continuous aerobic respiration and a good blood supply to deliver nutrients and oxygen.

The above image of cardiac muscle is included in the Musculoskeletal Histology Slide Kit from Microscope World. More of the prepared slides in this kit can be viewed here.