There are three main types of muscle tissue: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle. Skeletal muscle is striated, voluntary, and allows for rapid contractions. Cardiac muscle is also striated but involuntary with medium speed contractions. Smooth muscle is non-striated, involuntary, and allows for slow wave-like contractions. The microanatomy of skeletal muscle includes sarcomeres that contract and relax to cause movement. Neuromuscular junctions release acetylcholine which allows sodium entry and initiates muscle contraction.