Cardiac muscle tissue is striated, branched, and has 1-2 nuclei. Cardiac muscle tissue can be recognized by intercalated disks (dark thickened part). Electrical signals at these junctions allow a wave of excitation from cell to cell, aiding in the function of the heart (see chapter 19 for more details). Cardiac muscle cells, commonly called myocytes or cardiomyocytes, are bigger than smooth muscle cells and smaller than skeletal muscle cells. They control involuntary movement (the heart).
