Which type of muscle is voluntarily controlled and attached to bones?

Prepare for the VTCT Level 2 Facial and Skincare Test. Revise with flashcards and multiple choice questions, accompanied by insightful explanations. Ace your assessment with confidence!

Voluntary control and attachment to bones describe skeletal muscles. These are the muscles you consciously move to relocate a limb—they attach to bones via tendons, so when they contract they pull on the bone and create movement at a joint. They are controlled by the somatic nervous system, which carries conscious motor commands. This sets them apart from smooth muscle, which you do not control consciously and which lines the walls of organs, and from cardiac muscle, which powers the heart and isn’t under voluntary control. A typical example is moving your forearm by contracting the biceps to bend the elbow; the opposing muscle helps straighten the arm.