Which type of muscle tissue is primarily found in the digestive system?

Smooth muscle tissue is primarily found in the digestive system, and its role is essential for the proper functioning of various organs within this system. This type of muscle tissue is involuntary, meaning it operates without conscious control, which is crucial because many digestive processes, such as peristalsis—the wave-like contractions that move food through the digestive tract—need to occur automatically.

Smooth muscle cells are non-striated, spindle-shaped, and able to contract rhythmically. This allows them to effectively perform functions such as compressing and expanding the gastrointestinal tract to aid in the movement and digestion of food. In contrast, cardiac muscle is found only in the heart and is striated, while skeletal muscle, which is also striated, is under voluntary control and is responsible for movement of the skeleton rather than internal organs. Connective tissues do not have muscle properties, and so they are not classified as muscle tissue at all.