How are skeletal muscles primarily characterized?

Skeletal muscles are primarily characterized by their striped appearance, which is a result of the arrangement of contractile proteins known as actin and myosin within the muscle fibers. This striated, or striped, pattern is visible under a microscope and gives skeletal muscle its distinctive look, differentiating it from other muscle types like smooth or cardiac muscle.

Additionally, skeletal muscles are responsible for voluntary movements, as they are typically under conscious control. They are not located within blood vessels, nor are they composed of smooth fibers; rather, they consist of long, cylindrical, and multinucleated fibers. This clarity about skeletal muscle characteristics helps in understanding its unique structure and function within the body.