Which type of muscle is primarily involved in voluntary movements?

The type of muscle primarily involved in voluntary movements is striated muscle, also known as skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscles are attached to the skeleton and are responsible for movements that are consciously controlled, such as walking, running, lifting, and other activities that require deliberate coordination of movement. These muscles are characterized by their striated appearance under a microscope due to the organized arrangement of sarcomeres, which are the functional units of muscle fibers.

This striated muscle is distinct from cardiac muscle, which is found only in the heart and operates involuntarily to pump blood, and smooth muscle, which lines hollow organs and also functions involuntarily. Involuntary muscle refers to muscles that operate without conscious control, encompassing both cardiac and smooth muscle types, making it irrelevant in the context of voluntary movements. Therefore, the identification of striated muscle as the correct option emphasizes its role in facilitating voluntary physical activity.