Skeletal muscle tissue is what makes up the muscles that attach to the body's skeleton. This tissue is responsible for almost all of the body's movement. To palpate, or feel, this tissue, use the soft pads of your fingers to press on parts of the body without large amounts of fat storage, such as the wrists or ankles. You will feel tendons -- long, stringy muscular structures that assist in the movement of the arms and legs. Do the same on other parts of the body, such as the stomach, where you will find rectus abdominis.
The cells of these tissues are shaped like cylinders. They are very long, some stretching out to a few inches. These cells are grouped together in bundles called fascicles, which are permeated by motor neurons carrying signals that tell the muscle to move.
Connective tissue is the glue that holds the body together. Loose connective tissue lies under the skin and fills the space between muscles; it is very fatty, which helps the body regulate temperature. Dense connective tissue is divided into two subgroups: regular and irregular. Regular dense connective tissue makes up the tendons and ligaments and irregular comprises the dermis of the skin. Cartilage and bone are also considered connective tissue. Cartilage is strong and firm, but still has enough flexibility to act as a shock absorber between bones. Bone is the hardest form of connective tissue and is easily recognizable compared to the other types.
Smooth muscle tissue has a specific function within the organs of the body. The intestines, for example, are a vast collection of smooth muscle cells that move involuntarily to push refuse out of the body. The cells of this tissue are packed close together and have an elastic quality that allows them to stretch and recover. They are grouped together in different ways, depending on the function they are serving in the body.
Muscle tissue in the heart regulates blood pressure; this type of tissue is called cardiac muscle tissue. The tissue cells are organized in columns with interconnecting bridges that allow for quick communication. The communication happens with gap junctions, or electrical connections that allow an entire sheet of muscle to move at once.