Szívizomnak

Szívizomnak, more commonly known as cardiac muscle or myocardium, refers to the specialized muscle tissue that forms the heart. It is a type of involuntary striated muscle, meaning it contracts automatically and has a striped appearance under a microscope. This unique tissue is responsible for the rhythmic pumping action of the heart, which circulates blood throughout the body.

The cells of the szívizomnak, called cardiomyocytes, are interconnected by intercalated discs, which allow for rapid electrical communication between cells. This ensures that the heart muscle contracts as a single, coordinated unit, a phenomenon known as a functional syncytium. The striking pattern arises from the arrangement of actin and myosin filaments, the contractile proteins responsible for muscle contraction.

Unlike skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle cannot be consciously controlled. Its electrical activity is initiated and regulated by the heart's natural pacemaker, the sinoatrial node. The continuous and tireless work of the szívizomnak is essential for sustaining life, delivering oxygen and nutrients to all tissues and organs while removing waste products. Damage to this vital muscle, such as in a heart attack, can have severe consequences due to its limited regenerative capacity.