Recognize the three major types of muscle tissues in the body. Describe the general functions of muscles, and associated structures. Learn and apply anatomic, diagnostic and therapeutic terms. Together, they account for about forty percent of a person's body weight. In general muscles are responsible for producing the forces required to move body parts, keep the body erect, pump and move blood and other substances through vessels, help in respiration, and to help digest food.
Skeletal muscle is striated in appearance.
It is responsible for causing body movement. Its contractions are under voluntary control from the conscious centers of the brain. Cardiac muscle is also striated in appearance. Its contractions are considered involuntary because they are not controlled by the conscious portion of the brain. Cardiac muscle tissue is found in the heart, which is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body.