What type of muscle are the facial, arm, and leg muscles?

The correct answer identifies facial, arm, and leg muscles as striated muscles, which are also known as voluntary muscles. These muscles are characterized by their striped appearance under a microscope, which is due to the arrangement of muscle fibers. Striated muscles are responsible for movement and are under conscious control, allowing individuals to perform deliberate actions such as smiling, waving, or walking.

In contrast, smooth muscles are found in the walls of internal organs and are not under voluntary control; they function automatically to manage processes such as digestion and blood flow. Cardiac muscle, which is found only in the heart, is also striated but operates involuntarily, with its contractions controlled by the autonomic nervous system. The term "involuntary" relates to muscles that operate without conscious control, which strictly applies to smooth and cardiac muscles, further differentiating them from the voluntary striated muscles that allow for conscious movement. Thus, striated (voluntary) is the appropriate classification for the muscles in question, supporting their role in facilitating purposeful physical activity.