Which types of muscles are controlled by the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)?

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions, meaning it primarily controls muscles that operate without conscious thought. In this context, smooth and cardiac muscles are the two types that are under the influence of the ANS.

Smooth muscles are found in the walls of hollow organs such as the intestines, blood vessels, and the bladder. They facilitate involuntary movements like peristalsis and vasodilation. Cardiac muscle, which makes up the heart, is also regulated by the ANS to control heart rate and force of contraction without the need for conscious input.

While skeletal muscles are innervated by the somatic nervous system and are primarily under voluntary control, they are not influenced directly by the ANS in the same way as smooth and cardiac muscles. This distinction is crucial in understanding the operations of the nervous system and muscle types. Thus, the correct choice accurately identifies smooth and cardiac muscles as the only muscles controlled by the ANS.