Striated muscle tissue

Striated muscle tissue is a type of muscle tissue that can be seen under a microscope to have repeating bands, or striations. This type of muscle tissue is found in the skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle of animals, including humans.

Structure

Striated muscle tissue is composed of muscle fibers that are bound together in bundles. Each muscle fiber is a single cell that contains many myofibrils, which are the contractile units of the muscle. The striations seen in this type of muscle tissue are due to the arrangement of proteins within the myofibrils.

Function

The primary function of striated muscle tissue is to produce force and cause motion. In the case of skeletal muscle, this motion is often voluntary and allows for movement of the body. Cardiac muscle, on the other hand, contracts involuntarily to pump blood through the heart.

Types

There are two types of striated muscle tissue: skeletal and cardiac.

Skeletal Muscle

Skeletal muscle is attached to bones and is responsible for voluntary movements. It is controlled by the somatic nervous system.

Cardiac Muscle

Cardiac muscle is found in the walls of the heart and is responsible for pumping blood. It is controlled by the autonomic nervous system and contracts involuntarily.

Clinical significance

Diseases and conditions that affect striated muscle tissue include muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, and cardiomyopathy. These can lead to weakness, fatigue, and in severe cases, heart failure.

See also

• Smooth muscle
• Muscle contraction
• Myocyte

References

Striated muscle tissue Resources
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