Which tissue forms the walls of the heart?

Which tissue forms the walls of the heart?

• A. Skeletal muscle tissue
• B. Cardiac muscle tissue
• C. Smooth muscle tissue
• D. Nervous tissue

Answer: (B)

The walls of the heart are formed by cardiac muscle tissue, the myocardium. This tissue is specialized for heart contraction: its branched cardiomyocytes are striated like skeletal muscle but operate involuntarily, and they connect at intercalated discs that allow rapid electrical coupling and synchronized beating. This muscular layer is what generates the pumping action that moves blood through the circulatory system. Skeletal muscle forms voluntary muscles attached to bones, smooth muscle lines hollow organs and vessels but isn’t the heart’s wall, and nervous tissue handles signaling but doesn’t contract to pump blood.

The walls of the heart are formed by cardiac muscle tissue, the myocardium. This tissue is specialized for heart contraction: its branched cardiomyocytes are striated like skeletal muscle but operate involuntarily, and they connect at intercalated discs that allow rapid electrical coupling and synchronized beating. This muscular layer is what generates the pumping action that moves blood through the circulatory system. Skeletal muscle forms voluntary muscles attached to bones, smooth muscle lines hollow organs and vessels but isn’t the heart’s wall, and nervous tissue handles signaling but doesn’t contract to pump blood.