Final answer:
Skeletal muscle cells are elongated and cylindrical, referred to as muscle fibers, and can have numerous nuclei, distinguishing them from other muscle cell types.
Step-by-step explanation:
The shape of a skeletal muscle cell is elongated and cylindrical. These cells, often referred to as muscle fibers, are distinctive in their appearance and function. Skeletal muscle fibers are unusually large for human cells, with some fibers such as those in the Sartorius of the upper leg reaching diameters of up to 100 µm and lengths of approximately 30 cm (11.8 in). During embryonic development, myoblasts, which are individual muscle cells with their own nuclei, undergo fusion with many other myoblasts to form multinucleated skeletal muscle fibers. The presence of multiple nuclei in skeletal muscle fibers is significant because it supports the production of the large amounts of proteins and enzymes necessary for muscle function.
In contrast, smooth muscle fibers are spindle-shaped and have just a single nucleus, whereas cardiac muscle cells are also cylindrical but are branched with one or two nuclei centrally located. Unlike these types, skeletal muscle cells are characterized by their long, striated appearance and are also referred to as voluntary muscles because of our ability to control them consciously.