What type of muscle tissue is found only in the heart?

Cardiac muscle is the correct answer because it is a specialized type of muscle tissue that is found exclusively in the heart. This muscle is unique in its structure and function, featuring intercalated discs that allow for the rapid transmission of electrical signals between cells, enabling synchronized contractions essential for effective heart function. Cardiac muscle cells are involuntary, meaning that they are not under conscious control, which is essential for the heart's continuous pumping action.

In contrast, skeletal muscle is found throughout the body and is under voluntary control, allowing us to move and perform tasks consciously. Smooth muscle, another type of involuntary muscle, lines hollow organs like the intestines and blood vessels, but it is not found in the heart. Visceral muscle typically refers to smooth muscle found within the walls of internal organs. Hence, cardiac muscle retains a distinct identity, being confined solely to the heart.