Dance Anatomy & Kinesiology

35

TABLE 2.1 Three Types of Muscle Tissue

A. Smooth muscle

B. Cardiac muscle

C. Skeletal muscle

Appearance

Closely aligned, long, spindle-shaped cells with central nucleiNonstriated

Short, branching, generally uninucleate cells that interdigitate at intercalated discsStriated

Very long, cylindrical, multinucleate cellsStriated

Location

Walls of hollow organs and tubes

Walls of heart

Primarily attaches to bones and occasionally to skin

Function

Propels substances or objects through organs or tubes

Propels blood through blood vessels

Movement, posture, joint stability, shock absorption, facial expressions

Control

InvoluntaryAutomatic contractions

VoluntaryRequires nerve stimulation to contract