Skeletal muscle, also called the striated muscle, is among the three major muscle types. Its best known feature is its ability to contract and cause movement. Skeletal muscles are located throughout the body at the openings of internal tracts to control the movement of various substances. These muscles allow functions, such as swallowing, urination, and defecation, to be under voluntary control. Skeletal muscles also protect internal organs (particularly abdominal and pelvic organs) by acting as an external barrier or shield to external trauma and by supporting the weight of the organs.

There are 640 skeletal muscles in our body. It consists of large, elongated and multinucleated fibers that show quick and strong voluntary contractions. The elongated nuclei are positioned peripherally. Vertical striations are very visible, that’s why it is also called the striated muscle.

This is by far my favorite slide in our laboratory class in Histology. The parts and composition of the skeletal muscle are really visible in this slide and it is just so appealing.