Muscular System
Copyright 1996 The University of Kansas Medical Center
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
Skeletal Muscle
Longitudinal
- Peripheral Nuclei
- Striations
- No Branching
Cross Section
- Peripheral Nuclei
- Massive Cytoplasm
Cardiac Muscle
Longitudinal
- Central Nuclei (often football-shaped)
- Striations
- Branching
- Intercalated Discs
Cross Section
- Central Nuclei
- High Cytoplasm : Nucleus Ratio
Smooth Muscle
Longitudinal
- Central Nuclei (often fusiform-shaped)
- Meshwork appearance
- No Stiations
Cross Section
- Central Nuclei
- Low Cytoplasm : Nucleus Ratio
Be able to distinguish muscle from:
- Nerves
- Connective Tissue
- Tendons