Myocyte

A myocyte (also known as a muscle cell)^[1] is the type of cell found in muscle tissue.

Diagram of a muscle cell and neuromuscular junction
1. Axon
2. Neuromuscular junction
3. Muscle fiber (Myocyte)
4. Myofibril

Myocytes are long, tubular cells. They develop from myoblasts to form muscles in a process called myogenesis.^[2]

There are various specialized forms of myocytes: cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle cells. They have different structures. The striated or striped cells of cardiac and skeletal muscles are called muscle fibers.^[1]

Cardiomyocytes are the muscle fibres which form the chambers of the heart. They have a single central nucleus.^[3] Skeletal muscle fibers help support and move the body. They usually have peripheral nuclei.^[4][5]

Smooth muscle cells control involuntary movements such as the peristalsis contractions in the oesophagus and stomach.

References

1. Daniel Albert et al 2012. Dorland's illustrated medical dictionary, 32nd ed, p321 & 697. Saunders/Elsevier Philadelphia, PA. ISBN 978-1-4160-6257-8
2. Myocytes at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
3. "Muscle tissues". Archived from the original on 2015-10-13. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
4. Scott, W; Stevens, J; Binder-Macleod, SA (2001). "Human skeletal muscle fiber type classifications". Physical Therapy. 81 (11): 1810–1816. doi:10.1093/ptj/81.11.1810. PMID 11694174. Archived from the original on 2015-02-13.
5. "Does anyone know why skeletal muscle fibers have peripheral nuclei, but the cardiomyocytes not? What are the functional advantages?".