Muscle Tissue
Muscle tissue is made of "excitable" cells that are capable of contraction. Of all of the different tissue types (muscle, epithelial, connective, and nervous), muscle tissue is the most abundant in most animals.
Muscle Tissue Types
Muscle tissue contains numerous microfilaments composed of actin and myosin, which are contractile proteins.
There are three major types of muscle tissue:
- Cardiac Muscle
Cardiac muscle is so named because it is found in the heart. Cells are joined to one another by intercalated discs which allow the synchronization of the heart beat. Cardiac muscle is branched, striated muscle.
- Skeletal Muscle
Skeletal muscle, which is attached to bones by tendons, is associated with the body's voluntary movements. Skeletal muscle is striated muscle. Unlike cardiac muscle, the cells are not branched.
- Visceral (Smooth) Muscle
Visceral muscle, is found in various parts of the body such as the arteries, the bladder, the digestive tract, as well as in many other organs.
Visceral muscle is also called smooth muscle because it doesn't have cross striations. Visceral muscle contracts slower than skeletal muscle, but the contraction can be sustained over a longer period of time.
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Interesting Facts About Muscle Tissue
Interestingly, adults have a certain number of muscle cells. Through exercise, such as weight lifting, the cells enlarge but the overall number of cells does not increase. Skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles because we have control over their contraction. Our brain controls skeletal muscle movement. However, reflex reactions of skeletal muscle are an exception. These are involuntary reactions to external stimuli. Visceral muscles are involuntary since, for the most part, they are not consciously controlled. Smooth and cardiac muscles are under control of the peripheral nervous system.
Animal Tissue Types
To learn more about animal tissues, visit: