Which muscle type comprises long, cylindrical, multinucleated cells with striations and is under voluntary control?

Which muscle type comprises long, cylindrical, multinucleated cells with striations and is under voluntary control?

• A. Smooth Muscle
• B. Cardiac Muscle
• C. Skeletal Muscle
• D. Ligament

Answer: (C)

Muscle type is distinguished by structure and whether it is under voluntary control. The description—long, cylindrical cells with multiple nuclei and visible striations—fits skeletal muscle. The multiple nuclei come from fusion of precursor cells, creating long fibers, while the striations reflect organized sarcomeres. These fibers are under voluntary control, meaning you consciously decide to move them via the somatic nervous system. Smooth muscle lacks striations, has spindle-shaped cells, and is governed by involuntary control through the autonomic system. Cardiac muscle is striated as well, but its fibers are branched and connected by intercalated discs, typically have one or two nuclei, and contract involuntarily with intrinsic rhythmicity. Ligaments are not muscle tissue at all; they are dense connective tissue. So the described muscle type is skeletal muscle.

Muscle type is distinguished by structure and whether it is under voluntary control. The description—long, cylindrical cells with multiple nuclei and visible striations—fits skeletal muscle. The multiple nuclei come from fusion of precursor cells, creating long fibers, while the striations reflect organized sarcomeres. These fibers are under voluntary control, meaning you consciously decide to move them via the somatic nervous system.

Smooth muscle lacks striations, has spindle-shaped cells, and is governed by involuntary control through the autonomic system. Cardiac muscle is striated as well, but its fibers are branched and connected by intercalated discs, typically have one or two nuclei, and contract involuntarily with intrinsic rhythmicity. Ligaments are not muscle tissue at all; they are dense connective tissue.

So the described muscle type is skeletal muscle.