Page 29 - Viva ICSE Science 5 : E-book

Skeletal muscles

Skeletal muscles are the muscles that we use to move around. These are voluntary
muscles as their movement is controlled by us. They remain attached to the bones by a

special tissue called tendon. Muscles of arms, legs, feet and neck are some examples of
skeletal muscles.

Smooth muscles

Smooth muscles are present in the internal organs of our body. These are involuntary
muscles as they move on their own, i.e., their movement is not under our control. Muscles

of stomach, intestine and urinary bladder are some examples of smooth muscles.

Cardiac muscles

The muscles that make up the heart are known as cardiac muscles. They are also

involuntary muscles. They are specialised to perform continuous movement for pumping
blood to all body parts.

skeletal muscle cardiac muscle

smooth muscle

Types of muscles

Importance of muscles

Muscles are important in various ways. They control the movement of bones. They
provide movement to the internal organs for performing important activities within the
body. For example, continuous movement of cardiac muscles lets the heart to pump

blood. Similarly, the food moves from mouth to stomach by the movement of muscles
of oesophagus. Muscles also regulate body heat.

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