What term is used to describe muscles that respond to conscious commands?

The term used to describe muscles that respond to conscious commands is voluntary striated. This type of muscle is also known as skeletal muscle, and it is characterized by its ability to be controlled consciously, allowing for movement of the skeleton and, consequently, locomotion and various body movements. Voluntary striated muscles have a distinct striped appearance, which is due to the arrangement of fibers within the muscle tissue—these striations are visible under a microscope.

Skeletal muscles work in pairs to facilitate movement and are essential for activities such as walking, lifting, and other physical tasks that require intentional control. The nervous system communicates with these muscles, sending signals that enable them to contract and produce movement.

Other muscle types, such as involuntary non-striated muscles (which are smooth muscles) and cardiac muscle, do not operate under conscious control. Smooth muscles are found in internal organs and control movements such as digestion and blood vessel dilation, while cardiac muscle is responsible for the rhythmic contractions of the heart and operates independently of conscious thought.