Muscle tissue that consists of cells that are striated, branched, and joined by intercalated discs is called muscle tissue.

The muscle tissue you are referring to is called cardiac muscle tissue. Cardiac muscle is found exclusively in the heart and is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. It is unique in several aspects:

1. Striations: Cardiac muscle fibers show striations similar to skeletal muscle due to the organized arrangement of actin and myosin filaments.

2. Branched Cells: The fibers are branched, which allows the muscle to contract in a coordinated manner necessary for effective heart function.

3. Intercalated Discs: These structures connect individual heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) and allow for rapid transmission of signals, facilitating synchronized contraction of the heart muscle.

Together, these characteristics enable cardiac muscle to maintain continuous and rhythmic contractions, which are vital for efficient blood circulation.