Overview of Vertebrate
Muscles
Vertebrates have three
main types of muscles: smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and skeletal muscle. Each
of these muscle types has unique characteristics and functions in the body. In
this blog post, we will provide an overview of these muscles and their features.
Smooth
Muscle
Smooth muscle is a type
of involuntary muscle found in the walls of various organs and tissues,
including the digestive tract, urinary bladder, uterus, and blood vessels. It
consists of spindle-shaped cells with a single nucleus. Smooth muscles are the
earliest muscles to evolve and are found throughout the animal kingdom.
Smooth Muscles
Characteristics
of Smooth Muscle:
Involuntary
in action
Visceral,
non-striated, and involuntary
Contains
individual contractile spindle-shaped cells with single nuclei
Cardiac
Muscle
Cardiac muscle is a
type of involuntary muscle found exclusively in the heart. It consists of cells
that branch extensively, each with its own nucleus and separated by
intercalated discs. When stained properly, these discs appear under a light
microscope as very prominent cross-lines that are darker than the striations.
Cardiac muscles are striated and involuntary.
Cardiac Muscles
Characteristics
of Cardiac Muscle:
Found
exclusively in the heart
Striated
and involuntary
Composed
of cells that branch extensively
Separated
by intercalated discs
Skeletal
Muscle
Skeletal muscle is a
type of voluntary muscle that is attached to bones and facilitates movement of
the skeleton. It is also known as striated muscle because it shows alternate
light and dark regions under a microscope.
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| Skeletal Muscles |
Characteristics
of Skeletal Muscle:
Voluntary
in action
Attached
to the skeleton
Responsible
for movement of bones
Known
as striated muscle
Conclusion
In conclusion,
vertebrates have three types of muscles: smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and
skeletal muscle. Each type has unique features and functions that contribute to
the overall health and function of the body. Understanding these muscles and
their characteristics is important for the study and treatment of various
medical conditions.
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