Colorado CNA Practice Exam

Which of the following types of muscle is a voluntary muscle?

1. Cardiac muscle

2. Skeletal muscle

3. Smooth muscle

4. Visceral muscle

The correct answer is: Skeletal muscle

Skeletal muscle is classified as a voluntary muscle because it is under conscious control. This means that individuals can decide when to contract or relax these muscles, which are primarily responsible for moving the skeleton and facilitating body movements. Skeletal muscles are attached to bones and enable actions such as walking, lifting, and other physical activities. In contrast, cardiac muscle, which makes up the heart, operates involuntarily and is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. Smooth muscle, found in the walls of hollow organs like the intestines and blood vessels, is also involuntary, reacting automatically to various stimuli without conscious control. Similarly, visceral muscle is often considered another term for smooth muscle and shares the same characteristics of being involuntary. Thus, skeletal muscle stands out as the only type among these options that is truly voluntary.