What is the difference between cardiac and skeletal muscle?

Cardiac and skeletal muscles differ in structure, control, and function. Cardiac muscle, found only in the heart, is involuntary and contracts rhythmically without conscious control. It has striations like skeletal muscle but also features intercalated discs, allowing synchronized contraction. Skeletal muscle, attached to bones, is under voluntary control and enables body movement. It is also striated but lacks intercalated discs. Cardiac muscle cells are typically branched and have a single nucleus, while skeletal muscle cells are long, cylindrical, and multinucleated. Functionally, cardiac muscle maintains heartbeats, whereas skeletal muscle controls posture, locomotion, and overall body movement.