What is voluntary muscle?

Voluntary muscles are muscles of the skeletal body that connect to bones. They control the movement of the head, limbs, the neck and other body parts, under conscious control. The muscles of the skeleton are coordinated by nerve signals coming from the brain, which communicate with muscle fibers in each muscle and cause them to contract.

Weak Voluntary Muscles: Skeletal Muscle Diseases, Neuromuscular Disorders, and Other Causes

Neuromuscular disorders, also known as muscular skeletal disorders are disorders that affect the nerves which transmit electrical signals to the voluntary muscles in skeletal muscles that control movements.

If the nerves become damaged, communication between muscles and nerves becomes impaired. This leads to an increase in weakness of muscles, atrophy and loss of muscle function. Most neuromuscular disorders are caused by genetic factors or issues with the immune system.

The nerves transmit signals to muscles through nerve transmitters released in the neuromuscular junction. This is the space between a nerve cell and a muscle fiber. Neuromuscular diseases can harm the nerve as well as the neuromuscular junction where the signal travels through a nerve muscle.

Neuromuscular disorders can be identified by:

• Muscle weakness
• Atrophication of muscles (wasting)
• Muscles twitches, cramps or spasms
• Muscle pain
• Tingling and numbness
• Reduced coordination
• Double vision and droopy eyelids because of weak eye muscles
• Inability to swallow due to weakening of the Pharynx
• Trouble breathing due to the weakening of the diaphragm
• Poor balance

Common neuromuscular disorders include:

• Amyotrophic lateral thermopy (ALS) often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a genetic disorder that arises from the hardening of the spinal cord. It can cause damage to nervous system that controls muscles as well as the ability to move.
• Charcot-Marie Tooth disease is a type that includes peripheral neuropathy disorders that result in muscle atrophy and weakness, and loss of sensation. It occurs most typically in the feet and the legs. The condition is genetic condition that is caused by a mutation in the gene which damages myelin. Myelin is an insulating sheath which surrounds every nerve and assists in the transmission for electrical impulses.
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) results in the degeneration of myelin sheath around nerves. This reduces the flow of impulses that travel via the channels to muscle. It may result in weakness of muscles that is more severe in your dominant side of your body. There are many types of MS However, the condition tends to progress and becomes worse If it is not treated.
• Muscular dystrophies are a class of genetic disorders characterized by the gradual decline in motor performance as well as muscle weakness and atrophy gait disorders as well as progressive respiratory failure and cardiomyopathy. There are nine types of muscular dystrophy each caused through genetic changes.
• Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation throughout your body. The autoimmune condition happens when your immune system attack healthy cells through error. In myasthenia gravis, your body creates antibodies that attack the receptors for acetylcholineand decreasing the body’s capacity in contracting muscles. This causes the muscles being weak, atrophy, and fatigue.
• Myopathies, or muscle diseases, result in the muscles to weaken and then atrophy. The type of myopathy that causes them differs the myopathies may develop and worsen over time.

Muscle weakness may also result from electrolyte imbalances for example, a decrease in calcium, sodium, potassium or magnesium.

FAQ

Q1. Which muscles are voluntary?

The voluntary muscles of skeletal muscle are those which attach to bones and are consciously activated to regulate movements. The most common voluntary muscles in skeletal are the bicepsand triceps muscles and abdominals, as well as lats, quadriceps, glutes, and the hamstrings.

Q2. Why do voluntary muscles work in pairs?

Voluntary muscles typically work in pairs, allowing them to control the movement of each side of your body. These muscles ensure proper posture and alignment of joints. Multiple muscle groups can be activated simultaneously while performing a movement, as many muscles collaborate to coordinate movements and serve many functions.

Q3. which type of muscle causes voluntary movement?

The type of muscle that controls voluntary movement is skeletal muscle.

Q4. which of the following is a voluntary muscle?

A. skeletal muscle

B. cardiac muscle

C. smooth muscle

D. None of the above.

Ans: A. skeletal muscle

Q5. which muscle cell type has visible striations but is not under voluntary control?

Yes, cardiac cells, like skeletal cells, have visible striations but are not under voluntary control.

Q6. what component of the nervous system regulates voluntary muscle responses to external stimuli?

The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements such as those in the skin, bones, joints, and skeletal muscles. Both of these systems within the PNS work together with the CNS to regulate bodily function and provide reactions to external stimuli.