Smooth and Cardiac Muscle

smooth muscle

component of walls of hollow organs, involuntary —> controlled by autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic)

cardiac muscle

striated like skeletal muscle, connected by intercalated discs containing gap junctions and desmosomes

intercalated discs

specialized junctional structures unique to cardiac muscle

desmosomes

anchoring junctions within intercalated discs

gap junctions

allow electrical signals to pass quickly between cells of synchronized contraction in intercalated discs

T-tubules

tubular infoldings of the sarcolemma which PENETRATE through the cell and emerge on the other side

Z-discs

SEPARATES one sarcomere from the next

single-unit (visceral)

type of smooth muscle that is most common, cells connect via gap junctions

multi-unit

type of smooth muscle in which each cell receives its own nerve supply