Skeletal muscle tissue

A type of muscle tissue that enables voluntary movement of the body.

Skeletal muscle tissue is a specialized, striated form of muscle tissue that is predominantly attached to bones through tendons. This tissue is under voluntary control, meaning individuals can consciously decide when to contract or relax these muscles. Skeletal muscles are composed of long, cylindrical fibers that are multi-nucleated and exhibit a banded appearance due to the arrangement of their contractile proteins, actin and myosin.

Terminologia Anatomica

musculus-skeletal

System

Muscular system

Function

The primary function of skeletal muscle tissue is to facilitate movement by contracting when the brain sends signals through motor neurons. This muscular contraction not only enables gross motor skills, such as walking, running, and lifting, but also fine motor skills, such as writing or playing a musical instrument. Additionally, skeletal muscles play a vital role in maintaining posture and stabilizing joints, thereby supporting the skeletal system as a whole. They also contribute to thermoregulation, producing heat as a byproduct of contraction that aids in maintaining body temperature.

Location

Skeletal muscle tissue is predominantly located throughout the body, attached to the skeleton at various points. It is found in areas such as the arms, legs, back, abdomen, and face. Each skeletal muscle is named based on its location, size, shape, or function, and they vary in size and complexity. Generally, these muscles are strategically placed to enable efficient movement and force production, connecting to bones via tendons that allow precise coordination with the skeletal system.

Did You Know?

Skeletal muscles make up approximately 40% of a person's body weight.
Muscle fibers in skeletal muscles can adapt to different demands, increasing in size and strength with resistance training.
Skeletal muscle tissue can regenerate after injury through a process called muscle hypertrophy, where satellite cells become activated.
The striated appearance of skeletal muscle tissue is due to its highly organized structure of myofibrils.
Some skeletal muscles function as antagonistic pairs, which means when one muscle contracts, the other relaxes.