Muscle cell | |
---|---|
Details | |
Location | Muscle |
Identifiers | |
Latin | myocytus |
MeSH | D032342 |
TH | H2.00.05.0.00002 |
FMA | 67328 |
Anatomical terms of microanatomy |
A muscle cell, also known as a myocyte, is a mature contractile cell in the muscle of an animal.[1] In humans and other vertebrates there are three types: skeletal, smooth, and cardiac (cardiomyocytes).[2] A skeletal muscle cell is long and threadlike with many nuclei and is called a muscle fiber.[3] Muscle cells develop from embryonic precursor cells called myoblasts.[1]
Skeletal muscle cells form by fusion of myoblasts to produce multinucleated cells (syncytia) in a process known as myogenesis.[4][5] Skeletal muscle cells and cardiac muscle cells both contain myofibrils and sarcomeres and form a striated muscle tissue.[6]
Cardiac muscle cells form the cardiac muscle in the walls of the heart chambers, and have a single central nucleus.[7] Cardiac muscle cells are joined to neighboring cells by intercalated discs, and when joined in a visible unit they are described as a cardiac muscle fiber.[8]
Smooth muscle cells control involuntary movements such as the peristalsis contractions in the esophagus and stomach. Smooth muscle has no myofibrils or sarcomeres and is therefore non-striated. Smooth muscle cells have a single nucleus.