Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) Practice Exam

Which type of muscle is considered voluntary?

1. Smooth

2. Cardiac

3. Skeletal

4. Rigid

The correct answer is: Skeletal

Skeletal muscle is classified as voluntary muscle because it is under conscious control, allowing individuals to move their limbs and perform various physical actions intentionally. Each skeletal muscle is attached to bones, and its contraction leads to movement of those bones. This type of muscle is characterized by its striated appearance and is primarily responsible for body movements, posture, and locomotion. In contrast, smooth and cardiac muscles operate involuntarily, meaning their actions are not consciously controlled. Smooth muscle is found in organs and structures such as blood vessels and the digestive tract, regulating processes like digestion and blood flow without direct influence from the individual's will. Cardiac muscle, located only in the heart, also functions involuntarily, contracting rhythmically to pump blood throughout the body. Rigid does not refer to a type of muscle but could describe any stiff structure, which further emphasizes why skeletal muscle is clearly identified as voluntary.