Another name for muscle cells is myocytes.
Myocytes are specialized cells that are the fundamental units of muscle tissue. They are responsible for the contractile properties of muscles, allowing for movement and various bodily functions. There are three primary types of myocytes found in vertebrates:
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Skeletal muscle cells: These are responsible for voluntary movements and are characterized by their striated appearance.
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Smooth muscle cells: These are found in the walls of internal organs, such as the digestive tract and blood vessels, and are responsible for involuntary movements.
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Cardiac muscle cells (cardiomyocytes): These are found exclusively in the heart and are responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. Like skeletal muscle cells, they also exhibit striations.
In summary, while there are different types of muscle cells, they are all collectively known as myocytes, each playing a crucial role in various physiological processes.
