National League for Nursing (NLN) Science Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a type of muscle?

1. nervous muscle

2. smooth muscle

3. skeletal muscle

4. cardiac muscle

The correct answer is: nervous muscle

Nervous muscle is not considered a type of muscle because it refers to nervous tissue, which is primarily responsible for transmitting nerve impulses and facilitating communication within the body. The body’s muscle tissue is categorized into three main types: smooth muscle, skeletal muscle, and cardiac muscle. Smooth muscle is found in the walls of hollow organs and is involuntary, meaning it operates without conscious control. Skeletal muscle is attached to bones and is responsible for voluntary movements, allowing for controlled actions like walking and lifting. Cardiac muscle is unique to the heart, functioning involuntarily to pump blood throughout the circulatory system. Understanding these distinctions is important when studying anatomy and physiology, as each muscle type has distinct structures, functions, and control mechanisms within the body.