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Cardiac muscle is the correct answer because it is specifically adapted for the function of the heart. This type of muscle is involuntary, meaning its contractions are not under conscious control. Cardiac muscle fibers are striated, similar to skeletal muscle, but they are connected to one another through intercalated discs, allowing them to work in a coordinated manner to pump blood efficiently throughout the body.

The unique properties of cardiac muscle include its ability to generate its own action potentials, which allows it to maintain a rhythmic heartbeat even in the absence of external neural stimulation. This is vital for sustaining life, as the heart must continuously contract to circulate blood.

In contrast, skeletal muscle is voluntary and typically involved in movements under conscious control, while smooth muscle, also involuntary, is found primarily in the walls of hollow organs such as the intestines and blood vessels. Voluntary muscle is another term generally associated with skeletal muscle, further emphasizing the distinction between voluntary and involuntary muscle types.