Which of the following statements about cardiac muscle is correct?

• A. Cardiac muscle is classified as skeletal muscle.
• B. Cardiac muscle is classified as striated, involuntary muscle.
• C. Cardiac muscle is classified as smooth muscle.
• D. Cardiac muscle is not found in the heart.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the classification of muscle types: Muscles in the human body are categorized into three types—skeletal, smooth, and cardiac. Skeletal muscle is striated and voluntary, smooth muscle is non-striated and involuntary, and cardiac muscle is striated and involuntary.
2. Recognize the unique characteristics of cardiac muscle: Cardiac muscle is found exclusively in the heart and has striations similar to skeletal muscle. However, it is involuntary, meaning it functions without conscious control.
3. Eliminate incorrect options: Cardiac muscle cannot be classified as skeletal muscle because skeletal muscle is voluntary. It also cannot be classified as smooth muscle because smooth muscle lacks striations. Additionally, cardiac muscle is found in the heart, so the statement that it is not found in the heart is incorrect.
4. Identify the correct classification: Cardiac muscle is striated, like skeletal muscle, but it is involuntary, like smooth muscle. This combination makes it unique and distinct from the other muscle types.
5. Conclude that the correct answer is: 'Cardiac muscle is classified as striated, involuntary muscle,' based on its structural and functional characteristics.