Which type of muscle tissue is found in the heart and controlled involuntarily?

Cardiac muscle tissue is specifically adapted to the unique functions required of the heart. It is characterized by its striated appearance, similar to skeletal muscle, but it operates under involuntary control, meaning that it functions without conscious effort. This involuntary nature is essential for the heart to continuously pump blood throughout the body without requiring conscious thought, allowing for automatic regulation of heart rate and rhythm in response to the body's needs.

In contrast, skeletal muscle, which is also striated, is under voluntary control, allowing movement of the body at will. Smooth muscle is found in the walls of hollow organs and is also involuntary, but it lacks striations. Although it too is not under conscious control, it does not perform the specific function of pumping blood like cardiac muscle. The term "striated" refers to the appearance of the muscle fibers and is applicable to both skeletal and cardiac muscle but does not specifically denote the involuntary control aspect. Therefore, the type of muscle tissue specifically found in the heart that is controlled involuntarily is indeed cardiac muscle.