5 Questions
What is the primary function of specialized excitatory and conductive muscle fibers in the heart?
To provide an excitatory system that controls the rhythmical beating of the heart
How do atrial and ventricular muscle contractions differ from those of skeletal muscle?
Atrial and ventricular muscles contract for a longer duration
What is unique about the contraction of specialized excitatory and conductive muscle fibers?
They contract feebly due to few contractile fibrils
What type of cardiac muscle fibers are responsible for controlling the rhythmical beating of the heart?
Specialized excitatory and conductive fibers
What type of discharge do specialized excitatory and conductive muscle fibers exhibit?
Automatic rhythmical electrical discharge
Study Notes
Cardiac Muscle Composition
- The heart is composed of three major types of cardiac muscle: atrial muscle, ventricular muscle, and specialized excitatory and conductive muscle fibers.
Contraction of Atrial and Ventricular Muscle
- Atrial and ventricular muscles contract similarly to skeletal muscle.
- The duration of contraction in atrial and ventricular muscles is much longer compared to skeletal muscle.
Specialized Excitatory and Conductive Fibers
- Specialized excitatory and conductive fibers contract feebly due to few contractile fibrils.
- These fibers exhibit automatic rhythmical electrical discharge in the form of action potentials.
- They are responsible for conduction of action potentials through the heart, providing an excitatory system.
- The excitatory system controls the rhythmical beating of the heart.
Learn about the composition of cardiac muscle, including atrial, ventricular and specialized excitatory and conductive fibers, and their contraction mechanisms.
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