What type of muscle is characterized as voluntary?

The type of muscle that is characterized as voluntary is skeletal muscle. This is because skeletal muscle is under conscious control, meaning individuals can choose to contract or relax these muscles at will. Skeletal muscles are attached to bones and facilitate movements such as walking, running, and lifting.

In contrast, cardiac muscle, which is found in the heart, is involuntary and operates without conscious control. Similarly, smooth muscle, which lines organs such as the intestines and blood vessels, is also involuntary and functions automatically to manage processes like digestion and blood flow. Thus, the defining trait of skeletal muscle is its voluntary nature, making it unique among muscle types.