Is smooth muscle voluntary and under our control like skeletal muscle?

Smooth muscle is classified as involuntary muscle, meaning that it is not under conscious control like skeletal muscle, which is voluntary. This distinction is crucial in understanding how different muscle types function in the body.

Smooth muscle is found in walls of hollow organs such as the intestines, blood vessels, and the bladder. Its primary role is to facilitate automatic processes such as the movement of food through the digestive system and the regulation of blood flow, both of which occur without conscious effort. In contrast, skeletal muscle, which is responsible for voluntary movements like walking or lifting objects, responds to conscious commands from the brain.

This characteristic of smooth muscle allows the body to maintain essential functions that do not require our direct intervention, reinforcing the importance of differentiating between the muscle types based on their control mechanisms.