Three types of muscle | Circulatory system physiology | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy
khanacademymedicine・10 minutes read
Three major types of muscles are skeletal, cardiac, and smooth, each serving unique functions in the body. Skeletal muscles are voluntary, allowing conscious movement control, while cardiac and smooth muscles are involuntary and specialized for specific organs.
Insights
- Skeletal muscles are voluntary and attached to tendons and bones for movement, while cardiac muscles are involuntary and unique to the heart, and smooth muscles are also involuntary and found in hollow organs.
- Muscle cells vary in shape and structure, with smooth muscles being spindle-shaped with one nucleus, cardiac muscles being branched with one or two nuclei, and skeletal muscles being straight with multiple nuclei and striations, impacting their functions and abilities.
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Recent questions
What are the three major types of muscles?
Skeletal, cardiac, smooth.
Where are smooth muscles found?
Hollow organs, blood vessels.
What is the difference between cardiac and skeletal muscles?
Cardiac muscles are specific to the heart.
How do skeletal muscles aid in movement?
Attached to tendons and bones.
What is the shape of smooth muscle cells?
Spindle-shaped with one nucleus.
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Summary
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Types and Characteristics of Human Muscles
- Three major types of muscles: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth.
- Skeletal muscles are attached to tendons and bones, aiding in movement.
- Some skeletal muscles, like the external oblique, are attached to flat tendons called aponeurosis.
- Cardiac muscles are unique to the heart and are specialized cells.
- Smooth muscles are found in hollow organs and blood vessels, aiding in movement.
- Smooth muscles are involuntary, while cardiac muscles are also involuntary but specific to the heart.
- Skeletal muscles are voluntary, allowing for conscious control over movement.
- Speed of muscle movement varies: smooth muscles are slowest, cardiac muscles are intermediate, and skeletal muscles are fastest.
- Muscle cell shapes differ: smooth muscles are spindle-shaped with one nucleus, cardiac muscles are branched with one or two nuclei, and skeletal muscles are straight with multiple nuclei and striations.
