Which type of muscle is not under conscious control?

Cardiac and smooth muscles operate independently of conscious control, making them involuntary muscle types.

Cardiac muscle is found only in the heart and is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. The rhythm of the heartbeat is regulated automatically by the heart's own pacemaker cells, which respond to various bodily signals without requiring conscious thought. This ensures that your heart continues to beat even when you are asleep or unaware.

Smooth muscle, located in the walls of hollow organs such as the intestines, blood vessels, and the bladder, also functions without conscious control. It helps facilitate involuntary movements such as peristalsis in the digestive tract and regulation of blood pressure through the constriction of blood vessels.

In contrast, skeletal muscle, which is responsible for voluntary movements such as walking or lifting objects, is under conscious control. This distinction makes cardiac and smooth muscle vital for involuntary body functions, such as maintaining circulation and digestion. Thus, the correct answer encompasses both cardiac and smooth muscle as types that are not subject to conscious control.