Skeletal muscle

Definition

Skeletal muscle is a type of striated muscle tissue that is attached to bones and is responsible for moving the skeleton. It is characterized by its voluntary control, meaning it can be consciously controlled by the nervous system.

Related terms

Myofibril:

The basic rod-like unit of a muscle cell that contains the fundamental machinery necessary for muscle contraction.

Sarcomere:

A segment of myofibril in striated muscle fibers that serves as the functional unit of muscle contraction, delimited by Z lines.

Tendon:

A tough band of fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone and is capable of withstanding tension