What it means
Skeletal muscle, attached to the bones, is under conscious control: a person decides to walk, smile or pick something up. The muscles of the heart and the smooth muscle of organs and blood vessels are involuntary and work without conscious thought.
At a glance
| Also written | voluntary muscles |
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Related terms
smooth muscle
Muscle that works without conscious control and lines hollow organs such as the stomach, intestines, bladder, airways and blood vessels.
skeletal muscle
Muscle attached to bones that a person moves by choice, such as the muscles of the arms and legs.
muscular
Relating to the muscles, or having well-developed muscles.