Malfunction of longitudinal tubules can lead to several muscular diseases and conditions. For instance, defects in the sarcoplasmic reticulum or its associated proteins can result in muscular dystrophy, a group of genetic disorders characterized by muscle weakness and degeneration. Additionally, impaired calcium ion handling due to dysfunctional longitudinal tubules can cause cardiomyopathies, affecting the heart muscle's ability to contract and pump blood effectively.
