What type of muscle tissue is involuntary and found in the heart?

The type of muscle tissue that is involuntary and found in the heart is cardiac muscle. This specialized tissue is unique to the heart and plays a crucial role in pumping blood throughout the circulatory system. Cardiac muscle cells are interconnected in a way that enables them to contract in a coordinated manner, which is vital for efficient heart function.

Cardiac muscle is characterized by its striated appearance, similar to skeletal muscle, but unlike skeletal muscle, it operates without conscious control, making it an involuntary muscle. The rhythmic contractions of cardiac muscle are regulated by the heart's electrical conduction system, which allows for a consistent heartbeat.

In comparison, skeletal muscle is voluntary and attached to bones, allowing for movement under conscious control. Smooth muscle, also involuntary, is found in various organs and structures, such as the intestines and blood vessels, but is not present in the heart. Connective tissue, on the other hand, supports, binds, and protects other tissues, but it does not have the contractile properties of muscle tissue.