How could you distinguish a histological slide of cardiac muscle tissue from one of skeletal muscle tissue?
Cardiac muscle tissue contains a single, centrally placed nucleus, abundant mitochondria, relatively short T tubules, an extensive blood supply, and intercalated discs. Skeletal muscle tissue has multiple nuclei, fewer mitochondria, relatively long T tubules, a less extensive blood supply, and no intercalated discs.
How are cardiac muscle cells connected to their neighbors?
Cardiac muscle cells are connected to their neighbors at specialized junctional sites termed intercalated discs. At an intercalated discs, the membranes are bound together by desmosomes, myofibrils of the cells are anchored to the membrane, and gap junctions connect the cells.
