Hawaii Massage License Practice Exam

Which type of muscle tissue is involuntary, non-striated, and controlled by the autonomic nervous system?

1. Skeletal Muscle

2. Cardiac Muscle

3. Smooth Muscle

4. Striated Muscle

The correct answer is: Smooth Muscle

The correct answer is smooth muscle. This type of muscle tissue is characterized by being involuntary and non-striated, meaning it does not have the distinct banding patterns seen in skeletal muscle. Smooth muscle is primarily found in the walls of hollow organs, such as the intestines, blood vessels, and the bladder, where it plays a crucial role in involuntary movements such as peristalsis and vasoconstriction. Smooth muscle is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which operates without conscious control. This allows bodily functions to continue even when a person is not consciously aware of them, such as the contraction of blood vessels and the movement of food through the digestive tract. Other types of muscle tissue, such as skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and striated muscle, differ in their characteristics and control mechanisms. Skeletal muscle is voluntary and striated, meaning its contractions are consciously controlled. Cardiac muscle, while striated like skeletal muscle, is involuntary and specifically found in the heart. Striated muscle is a broader term that generally refers to both skeletal and cardiac muscle types, both of which do not fit the unique characteristics described in the question.