Skeletal muscle

Skeletal muscle is a type of striated, voluntary muscle that attaches to bones and is responsible for producing movement of the skeleton. It is controlled by the somatic nervous system and enables precise, conscious movements such as walking, writing, and facial expression.

Anatomically, each skeletal muscle is made up of long, cylindrical muscle fibres grouped into bundles (fascicles) and surrounded by connective tissue layers — endomysium, perimysium, and epimysium. The skeletal muscles insert into bones via tendons.

Under the microscope, skeletal muscle fibres show alternating light and dark bands (striations) due to the arrangement of actin and myosin filaments, which slide past each other during contraction.

Functionally, skeletal muscles act across joints to produce movement, maintain posture, and stabilize the skeleton.