American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

What is another name for skeletal muscle?

1. Involuntary muscle

2. Striated muscle

3. Smooth muscle

4. Cardiac muscle

The correct answer is: Striated muscle

Skeletal muscle is also referred to as striated muscle due to its distinct appearance under a microscope. This type of muscle is characterized by a banded or striated pattern, which is caused by the arrangement of muscle fibers in a regular pattern. Skeletal muscles are responsible for voluntary movements and are connected to bones via tendons, allowing for locomotion and posture. The striations are a result of the organized structure of myofibrils within the muscle fibers. Understanding the different types of muscle tissue is essential. Involuntary muscle includes smooth muscle and cardiac muscle, both of which are not controlled consciously, while smooth muscle is found in the walls of internal organs and blood vessels. Cardiac muscle, found only in the heart, also has a striated appearance but functions involuntarily. Thus, the term striated muscle succinctly identifies skeletal muscle and distinguishes it from these other muscle types.