Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What is the composition of cardiac muscle tissue?

1. Found in the arteries

2. Responsible for voluntary movement

3. Makes up the heart

4. Does not contract

The correct answer is: Makes up the heart

Cardiac muscle tissue is specifically designed to make up the heart. It is unique in structure and function, featuring intercalated discs that allow for coordinated contractions necessary for pumping blood throughout the body. This specialized muscle is involuntary, meaning that its contractions are not consciously controlled, which distinguishes it from skeletal muscle responsible for voluntary movements. The other options pertain to different types of tissue or properties: the first option refers to the type of tissue found in blood vessels, not the heart; the second option relates to skeletal muscle tissue, which allows for voluntary movement; and the last option incorrectly states that cardiac muscle does not contract. In reality, cardiac muscle is capable of rhythmic contractions, essential for maintaining circulation. Thus, the accurate understanding of cardiac muscle is that it solely constitutes the heart, enabling its vital role in the circulatory system.