Difference Between Striated Muscles and Smooth Muscles

Muscular tissues in the human body are classified into two main categories according to structure and function: striated and smooth muscles. Knowing their differences is quite significant to appreciate their functions in the general functioning of the body.

What Are Striated Muscles?

• Striated muscles are more known as skeletal muscles, identified as having a striped appearance, or striations.

• These muscles are primarily responsible for voluntary movements and are mainly attached to bones.

Structure Of Striated Muscles

• Striations: The alternating presence of light and dark bands gives striated muscles an appearance that makes them easily recognizable under a microscope. This striation results from the arrangement of the myofilaments, actin and myosin, in an orderly fashion.

• Multinucleated: Striated muscle fibres are long, cylindrical, and multinucleated; that is, each cell contains multiple nuclei.

• Connective Tissue: The striated muscles are enclosed in connective tissue, which supports the muscle fibres and protects them.

Functions Of The Striated Muscles

• Voluntary Movement: During the performance of movements, striated muscles provide conscious control. This includes walking, running, lifting, etc.

• Maintaining Posture: These muscles contribute much to maintaining posture and stabilization of joints during movement.

• Body Temperature Maintenance: The contractions of striated muscles result in heat that contributes to the maintenance of core body temperature.

What Are Smooth Muscles?

• Smooth muscles are non-striated involuntary muscles that are found within the walls of hollow organs and blood vessels.

• They execute involuntary movements and functions within the human body.

Structure Of Smooth Muscles

• Non-Striated Appearance: Smooth muscles lack the striations seen on the striated muscles; this makes them smooth in appearance and thus not striated in microscopic view.

• Single Nucleus: Smooth muscle fibres are spindle-shaped and contain a single nucleus in each cell.

• Involuntary Control: Smooth muscles are controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which makes provisions for involuntary control over different functions of the body.

Functions Of Smooth Muscles

• Involuntary Movement: The smooth muscles provide for involuntary movements; for instance, peristalsis in the alimentary canal and contraction of blood vessels.

• Regulation of Organ Function: Smooth muscles control the diameter of blood vessels and the movement of substances through hollow organs.

Key Differences Between Striated Muscles And Smooth Muscles

Body Health And The Importance Of Muscular Tissues

• Both striated and smooth muscles are important for overall health and function.

• Striated muscles allow for voluntary movements and actions while smooth muscles facilitate many of the involuntary processes necessary to maintain life.

• When these muscles do not function properly, some serious medical consequences can develop.