Cardiac muscle cells are referred to as what?

Cardiac muscle cells are specifically referred to as cardiomyocytes. These specialized cells are essential for the contraction of the heart and have unique characteristics that differentiate them from skeletal muscle fibers and smooth muscle cells.

Cardiomyocytes are striated muscle cells, similar to those found in skeletal muscle, but they are shorter, branched, and connect at intercalated discs. These intercalated discs facilitate rapid communication and synchronization of contractions across the heart, which is critical for effective pumping action. Additionally, cardiomyocytes possess a high density of mitochondria to meet their energy demands and are capable of generating action potentials autonomously, contributing to the heart's intrinsic rhythmicity.

The term "myocytes" is a more general term that refers to muscle cells of any type (skeletal, cardiac, or smooth), which makes it less specific. Myofibers generally refer to elongated muscle fibers found in skeletal muscle. The term "fibrillocytes" is not commonly used in reference to muscle cell types in vertebrates. Therefore, the most precise and accurate term for heart muscle cells is cardiomyocytes.