The term "regular muscle" is vague. If by "regular muscle" you mean to ask about the differences between skeletal muscle and the other types of muscle tissue in the human body (smooth and cardiac), then the primary distinctions lie in their function, location, and control mechanism. Skeletal muscle's primary function is controlling movement and posture.
Here's a breakdown of the key differences:
Types of Muscle Tissue
The human body contains three types of muscle tissue:
- Skeletal
- Smooth
- Cardiac
Key Differences Explained
| Feature | Skeletal Muscle | Smooth Muscle | Cardiac Muscle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Movement and posture. | Controls involuntary movements such as digestion and blood vessel constriction. | Pumps blood throughout the body. |
| Location | Attached to bones via tendons. | Walls of internal organs (e.g., stomach, intestines, blood vessels). | Heart. |
| Control | Voluntary (conscious control). | Involuntary (unconscious control). | Involuntary (unconscious control). |
| Appearance | Striated (striped). | Non-striated (smooth). | Striated (striped), but with intercalated discs. |
Function-Specific Locations (From Reference)
- Skeletal muscle is an organ that primarily controls movement and posture.
- Cardiac muscle encompasses the heart, which keeps the human body alive.
- Smooth muscle is present throughout the gastrointestinal, reproductive, urinary, vascular, and respiratory systems.
