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SMOOTH MUSCLE
Characteristics: involuntary, non-striated, single nucleus; may possess gap junctions.
Function: constriction and dilatation (involuntary movement).
Location: lines blood vessels, GI tract, respiratory tract, organs, reproductive structures, attached to hair follicles, and in the iris and cilliary body of the eye, etc.
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CARDIAC MUSCLE
Characteristics: involuntary, striated, intercalated discs, single nucleus, muscle fibers anastomose.
Function: create pumping action require to distribute blood throughout the body through contraction.
Location: myocardium of heart.
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SKELETAL MUSCLE
Characteristics: voluntary, striated, multi-nucleated; muscles are surrounded by epimysium, fascicles by perimysium, and muscle fibers by endomysium; A&I bands visible.
Function: voluntary movement of body.
Location: attached to bone (the visible muscles); ex: biceps, gastrocnemius, quadriceps, gluteus maximus, etc.
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NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION (MOTOR END PLATE)
Characteristics: large motor units control movement of large skeletal muscles and smaller motor units control movement of muscles of the eye; terminal bulbs do not actually make physical contact with muscle fibers.
Function: conduct action potential from motor neuron to muscle fiber; the stimulation of muscle fibers.
Location: the muscle-nerve interface.
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