Striated muscle

Striated Muscle

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Striated muscle tissue as seen under a microscope

Striated muscle is a type of muscle tissue that can be controlled voluntarily. It is characterized by its striped, or striated, appearance under a microscope. This type of muscle is found in the skeletal system and is responsible for all locomotor and skeletal movements of the body.

Structure

Striated muscle tissue is composed of long, cylindrical cells called muscle fibers. Each muscle fiber is made up of smaller units called myofibrils, which are further divided into sarcomeres. Sarcomeres are the basic contractile units of striated muscle and are composed of two types of protein filaments: actin and myosin.

File:Striated muscle sarcomere.png

Diagram of a sarcomere, the basic contractile unit of striated muscle

Function

Striated muscles are responsible for all voluntary movements in the body. They contract and relax in response to signals from the nervous system. The interaction between actin and myosin filaments within the sarcomeres is what allows for muscle contraction.

Clinical significance

Diseases and conditions that affect striated muscle include muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, and rhabdomyolysis. These conditions can lead to muscle weakness, fatigue, and in severe cases, muscle wasting.

See also

• Smooth muscle
• Cardiac muscle
• Muscle contraction
• Muscle tissue