skeletal muscle

noun

: striated muscle that is usually attached to the skeleton and is usually under voluntary control

Examples of skeletal muscle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Hemoglobin and myoglobin contributions to skeletal muscle oxygenation in response to exercise. Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024 While the heart does pump more blood to skeletal muscles that are working during these activities, these kinds of exercises depend on a muscle’s ability to move the weight. William Cornwell, The Conversation, 21 Feb. 2024 In humans, venom causes severe swelling and instability of blood pressure, neuromuscular weakness and paralysis, hemorrhaging, and the death of skeletal muscle, leading to permanent tissue loss and amputations. Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2023 This has led to a large interest in the development of weight-loss drugs that may not have as much of an effect on skeletal muscle mass as semaglutide does. Sara Reardon, Scientific American, 17 Nov. 2023 In addition to weight, this may include body fat, body fat mass, lean body mass, muscle mass, skeletal muscle mass, bone mass, visceral fat, BMI (body mass index), BMR (basal metabolic rate), metabolic age, body water, and protein mass. Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 25 Oct. 2023 Females also tend to have a greater number of estrogen receptors on their skeletal muscles compared with males. Cara Ocobock, Scientific American, 19 Oct. 2023 The team took three skeletal muscle samples and three skin tissue samples, each weighing 80 milligrams, from a Tasmanian tiger specimen that had been preserved at room temperature at the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Sep. 2023 Rhabdomyolysis is a condition in which skeletal muscle tissue breaks down from intense physical exertion and releases proteins and electrolytes (such as potassium) into the bloodstream. Brian Metzler, Outside Online, 19 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skeletal muscle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of skeletal muscle was in 1877

Dictionary Entries Near skeletal muscle

Cite this Entry

“Skeletal muscle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skeletal%20muscle. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

skeletal muscle

noun
: striated muscle that is usually attached to the skeleton and is usually under voluntary control
also : a muscle composed of skeletal muscle

More from Merriam-Webster on skeletal muscle

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