Which muscle type enables the heart to pump blood through the body?

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

Answer: (A)

Cardiac muscle enables the heart to pump blood. It forms the walls of the heart (the myocardium) and contracts automatically in a coordinated rhythm to create a heartbeat. Intercalated discs between cardiac muscle cells allow rapid, synchronized contraction so the heart chambers squeeze as a unit and push blood through the circulatory system. While cardiac muscle is specialized for this nonstop pumping, it is distinctive from other muscle types: skeletal muscle is attached to bones and is under voluntary control for body movement, whereas smooth muscle operates in the walls of vessels and organs to regulate flow without conscious control. Nervous tissue isn’t a muscle at all; it transmits signals that help coordinate movement and function.