Both cardiac and smooth muscles operate under involuntary control, meaning they function without conscious effort. Cardiac muscle is specialized for continuous rhythmic contractions to maintain heartbeats, regulated by the autonomic nervous system. Smooth muscle, found in walls of internal organs and blood vessels, controls functions like peristalsis and vessel constriction, also governed involuntarily by autonomic impulses. In contrast, skeletal muscle requires voluntary control for movement. Understanding involuntary muscle function is crucial during surgeries involving the heart or viscera to prevent unwanted muscle contractions.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy, Susan Standring, 42nd Edition.