Final answer:
Skeletal muscles are striated muscles under voluntary control that move bones and maintain posture. Their names reflect their shape, size, location, number of origins, and actions. Muscle structure includes bundles of fibers surrounded by connective tissue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics of skeletal muscle include its striated appearance due to the arrangement of contractile proteins, actin and myosin, and the presence of multiple nuclei in its long, cylindrical cells. These muscles are under voluntary control, meaning they can be consciously controlled to move parts of the skeleton, such as bones or skin. Skeletal muscles are located throughout the body and are responsible not only for producing movement but also for maintaining posture and protecting internal organs.
Skeletal Muscle Structure
A skeletal muscle consists of bundles of muscle fibers surrounded by a coat of connective tissue. When examining the criteria used to name skeletal muscles, anatomists consider factors such as muscle shape, muscle size, muscle location, the number of origins, and the specific action the muscle performs. Understanding these naming conventions helps in identifying and describing various muscles in terms of their shapes, locations, and actions.