Systematic Reviews
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2025.
World J Methodol. Dec 20, 2025; 15(4): 102408
Published online Dec 20, 2025. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v15.i4.102408
Table 4 Skeletal vs gastrointestinal smooth muscle: Similarities and dissimilarities
Feature
Skeletal muscle
Gastrointestinal smooth muscle
Excitable tissueYesYes
Contractile proteinsActin and myosinActin and myosin
Sarcoplasmic reticulumYesYes
Contraction mechanismSliding filamentSliding filament
Calcium dependenceYesYes
ControlVoluntaryInvoluntary
InnervationMotor neuronsAutonomic nervous system
Hormonal regulationYesYes
Attachment to boneYesNo
Fiber nucleiMultinucleatedUninucleated
Fiber arrangementBundles of striated (striped) fibersSheets or layers of non-striated fibers
Contraction speedFast and powerfulSlow and sustained
Contraction patternBrief burstsTonic (sustained)
Dominant respirationAnaerobicAerobic
RegenerationLimitedBetter capacity
Fatigue resistanceSusceptibleHighly resistant
Main control systemCentral nervous systemEnteric nervous system