Muscle Tissue

1.2.1 - Outline the general characteristics common to muscle tissue.

1.2.2 - Distinguish between the different types of muscle.

Muscle Tissue Characteristics

All muscle tissue has these common characteristics:

Contractility - the ability to contract

Extensibility - the ability to extend

Hypertrophy - the ability to enlarge

Atrophy - the ability to waste away

Elasticity - the ability to stretch and return to original shape

Controlled by nerve stimuli and fed by capillaries.

Muscle Types

There are three main types of muscle found in our bodies:

Skeletal - striated appearance, used for movement, mostly voluntary

Smooth - associated with internal organs, especially the digestive system, involuntary

Cardiac - found in the heart, striated, involuntary, never fatigues