What are all muscle cells called?

Have you ever wondered what all the different types of muscle cells in your body are called? Well, look no further because we have compiled a comprehensive list just for you!

Types of Muscle Cells

Skeletal Muscles

Let’s start with the most well-known type of muscle – skeletal muscles. These voluntary striated muscles are attached to our bones and allow us to move around in any direction we choose. They’re responsible for everything from running races to playing video games on the couch.

Smooth Muscles

Now let’s move onto something a little smoother, shall we? Smooth muscles are located throughout our internal organs such as the stomach, intestines and blood vessels. Unlike skeletal muscles, these involuntary non-striated muscles can’t be controlled by conscious thought.

Cardiac Muscles

The heart is arguably one of the most important organs in our body (although some may say it’s actually the stomach). The cardiac muscle is unique because it has characteristics similar to both skeletal and smooth muscles. It’s striated like skeletal muscle but involuntary like smooth muscle.

Characteristics of Muscle Cells

Shortening or Contractibility

Muscle cells have an amazing ability to shorten or contract when they receive stimulation from nerves or hormones. This characteristic allows us to perform tasks that require strength such as lifting weights or pushing heavy objects out of the way.

Excitability

Nope – this doesn’t mean that your biceps get jittery when someone tells a joke! Excitability refers to how easily a cell can respond to stimuli such as chemical signals sent by other nerve cells or changes in voltage within its surrounding area.

Elasticity

Just like rubber bands, our muscles must be able return back their original shape once they’ve been stretched out. Elasticity is important because without it overstretching could cause serious damage resulting in a strained or torn muscle.

Extensibility

Extensibility refers to a cell’s ability stretch and lengthen during contraction. Without it, our muscles would not be able to return back natural form after being shortened.

Groups of Muscle Cells

Muscle Fibers

Muscle fibers are the largest group of skeletal muscle cells in your body. They contain many myofibrils, which themselves are made up of smaller myofilaments such as actin and myosin. These tiny filaments slide across each other when stimulated by calcium ions, causing the familiar “muscle contraction” feeling we all know too well.

Fascicles

In order for our bodies to perform tasks efficiently, muscles often work together in groups called fascicles. Think about how you simultaneously use multiple muscles in your arm while throwing a ball – that’s teamwork!

Motor Units

Motor units consist of one motor neuron (nerve) and all the muscle fibers it controls – imagine a traffic officer who has total control over an intersection filled with pesky drivers – yeah, sorta like that!

Although human anatomy can seem quite complex at times knowing these terms can give you greater comprehension concerning the amazing workings behind what allows us move on this earth. Understanding what muscle cells are used for will aid you along with working out more effectively creating fewer injuries longer improvement if followed properly.

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