Histology is the study of tissues. Tissues are groups of cells that are similar in structure and function. There are four tissue types associated with animals such as humans. They are:

epithelial_tissue,

connective_tissue (CT),

muscle_tissue, and

nerve_tissue

Each of these tissue categories has distinctive cell shapes and functions.

Muscle tissue is responsible for locomotion and for the movements of the various parts of the body with respect to one another. There are three categories of muscle tissue: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth_muscle. Another term for skeletal muscle is striated muscle. The term visceral is often used as a synonym for smooth muscle.

NOTE:

(1) Skeletal muscles are associated primarily with the bones of the body and help provide movement from place to place.

(2) Skeletal muscle cells are long and tapered, with many nuclei. They are so long and thin that each cell is referred to as a fiber. Skeletal muscle is voluntary.