Which muscle type is the most abundant tissue in the vertebrate body?

• A. Cardiac muscle.
• B. Skeletal muscle.
• C. Smooth muscle.
• D. Nervous tissue.

Answer: (B)

Skeletal muscle is the most abundant muscle tissue in vertebrates. It forms the largest portion of body mass because it accounts for a substantial share of total body weight, especially in animals like humans where it typically makes up around 40–50% of body mass. This tissue enables voluntary movement, posture, and heat production through shivering, reflecting its widespread distribution and functional demand.

Cardiac muscle is confined to the heart and constitutes a relatively small portion of body mass. Smooth muscle lines the walls of hollow organs and vessels and is essential for functions like peristalsis and vasoconstriction, but its overall mass is still far less than that of skeletal muscle. Nervous tissue is crucial for signaling and control, yet its mass is much smaller compared to skeletal muscle. Therefore, skeletal muscle is the most abundant tissue type by mass in vertebrates.