Striated, Unstriated and Cardiac muscles are three types of muscle tissues. Their different characteristics are as follows:
| Character | Striated Muscles | Unstriated Muscles | Cardiac Muscles | |
| 1. | Shape of cells. | Cells are long cylindrical, non-tapering and un-branched. | Cells are long with tapering ends (spindle shape) and un-branched. | Cells are non-tapering, cylindrical and branched. |
| 2. | Nucleus | Many nuclei (multi-nucleated) which are situated towards the periphery of muscle fibre. | The cells have only one nucleus (uni-nucleated) situated in the center. | Each cell contains one or two nuclei situated in the center. |
| 3. | Striation | Transverse alternate light and dark bands present. | Striations or strips are absent. | Cells have faint striations. |
| 4. | Mode of Contraction | Voluntary contract rapidly but soon undergo fatigue. | Involuntarily not at our will. Contract comparatively slow but do not fatigue. | Involuntary, rhythmically contract and relax throughout life without fatigue under normal conditions. |
| 5. | Example of location. | Hands, legs and other skeletal muscles. | Stomach wall, intestine, ureter, bronchi etc. | Present in heart. |
