Cardiac Muscles

Smooth muscle is located in the wall of hollow organs along with the vessels, respiratory, and passageways. Smooth muscle is involuntary and also produces peristalsis. It contracts and relaxes slowly, but it might contract. The branching networks are nonstriated. Cardiac muscle is located on the wall of the heart. Just like the smooth muscle, it is involuntary. Cardiac muscle pumps blood out of the heart and is influenced by the nervous system and hormones. The branching networks of cardiac muscle are special membranes, also called intercalated disks. They are in between cells, have a single nucleus, and are lightly striated. Skeletal muscles are attached to the bones. They are voluntary and produce movement at joints. They are stimulated by