Does cardiac muscle exhibit striations?

Cardiac muscle does indeed exhibit striations, which are visible bands or stripes that occur due to the organized arrangement of muscle fibers. This striation is a characteristic feature resulting from the alignment of actin and myosin filaments in a repeating pattern, similar to that found in skeletal muscle.

In cardiac muscle, these striations contribute to the efficient contraction of the heart, allowing it to pump blood effectively. The presence of striations distinguishes cardiac muscle from smooth muscle, which does not have this organized banding pattern.

Understanding this fundamental aspect of cardiac muscle is crucial, as it plays a significant role in the muscle's function and its ability to contract in a highly coordinated manner across the heart.