What type of muscle is cardiac muscle classified as?

Cardiac muscle is classified as involuntary striated muscle because it is responsible for pumping blood in the heart and operates automatically without conscious effort. This automatic function is a characteristic of involuntary muscles, which means they are not under voluntary control. The term "striated" refers to the muscle's appearance under a microscope, where it displays distinct patterns of striations due to the arrangement of myofilaments that enable contraction.

In contrast to voluntary striated muscle, such as skeletal muscle, which can be consciously controlled for movements, cardiac muscle works continuously and rhythmically without such control. It also differs from involuntary smooth muscle, which is found in internal organs and does not exhibit striations. The unique structural and functional characteristics of cardiac muscle are essential for its role in maintaining effective circulation and overall cardiovascular health.