Muscle cells, also known as muscle fibers or myocytes, are specialized cells found in skeletal and cardiac muscles. These cells contain numerous organelles that allow them to contract and generate force, making them responsible for movement and maintaining posture. Muscle cells have a long, cylindrical shape with a central nucleus and multiple nuclei at the periphery of the cell. They are also connected by intercalated discs which facilitate communication between adjacent muscle cells allowing for coordinated contraction.