Muscular tissue


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Muscular Tissue

Tissues are groups of cells that have a similar structure and act together to perform a specific function.

Muscular Tissue: Muscles, which contract and relax to make the movements of the body possible, are made up of muscular tissue. There are three types of muscles: striated, non striated and cardiac.

  • Striated muscles: Striated muscles are also called voluntary muscles because they are under the direct control of one’s will. The muscle fibres, or cells which make up striated muscles, are multinucleate and unbranched. Each cell, or fibre, is enclosed in a thin definite membrane balled sarcolemma. The cytoplasm of the muscle fibre, called sarcoplasm, contains filaments called myofibrils. It is these contractile filaments which cause the movements of the muscle and also give rise to the striations. Striated muscles constitute about 50% of the body weight and are attached primarily to the bones. They are found in the arms, legs, neck, etc. These muscles get tired and need rest.
  • Non striated muscles: These are also called involuntary muscles because they are not under the direct control of one’s will. The muscle fibres, or cells, are uninucleate and spindle-shaped. The ends of these cells may be branched. Each cell is not enclosed in a membrane, but many fibres are joined together in bundles by loose connective tissue. Myofibrils run longitudinally through the fibres of these muscles, which are also called smooth. Movement in the alimentary canal which causes the passage of food is due to the contraction of non striated muscles. Smooth muscles are also found in blood vessels, the iris of the eye, ureter, bronchi and the skin.
  • Cardiac muscles : They are small, cylindrical, branched, and involuntary muscle fibres. They are found in the wall of heart. The fibres have broad ends. They have transverse striations with light and dark bands. Cells are uninucleated. Nucleus is centrally placed . The muscles show rythmatic contractions.They are involuntary muscle fibres. The rythmatic contraction and relaxation of cardiac muscle fibres helps in pumping of blood through heart.
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