What is Skeletal Muscle?
Skeletal muscle is the type of muscle tissue that attaches to your bones, enabling movement and a wide range of bodily functions. It makes up 30-40% of your total body mass and is voluntary, meaning you consciously control its actions. It's the most common muscle type in the human body, playing a vital role in everyday activities.
- Structure: Composed of multinucleated contractile muscle fibers (myocytes). Thousands of these fibers make up each individual skeletal muscle. These fibers are attached to bones via tendons. (Britannica, Wikipedia, StatPearls)
- Function: Contraction in response to a stimulus to produce movement. (StatPearls, Cleveland Clinic)
- Control: Voluntary control; you consciously decide when and how to move your muscles. (Cleveland Clinic)
- Location: Found throughout the body. (StatPearls)
- Importance: Crucial for maintaining energy homeostasis and overall health. (ScienceDirect)
Examples of Skeletal Muscle Actions:
- Walking
- Lifting objects
- Breathing
- Facial expressions
- Maintaining posture
Skeletal Muscle and Health:
Dysfunction in skeletal muscles can contribute to various health issues, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). (PubMed) Skeletal muscle relaxants are sometimes prescribed for conditions like back pain and fibromyalgia. (AAFP) Understanding skeletal muscle metabolism is critical for optimizing exercise performance and overall health. (Nature)
