Red muscle and white muscle are skeletal muscles which perform various functions in the body. Red muscles are named so because they are dense with capillaries and are rich in myoglobin and mitochondria – which gives it a characteristic red appearance. On the other hand, white muscles have comparatively less mitochondria and are myoglobin poor, giving the muscles a “whitish” appearance. Read on to explore more differences between the red and white muscle.
| Red muscles are a type of skeletal muscle which are dense with capillaries and is rich in myoglobin and mitochondria | White muscles are also a type of skeletal muscle, but contains lower amounts of mitochondria and are myoglobin poor |
| More in number | Comparatively less in number |
| Red muscles have reduced quantities of SR | White muscles have more SR |
| Can perform aerobic oxidation without accumulating much lactic acid – hence, can contract for long periods of time | Performs anaerobic oxidation and accumulates lactic acid much quicker than red muscles – hence, gets fatigued after short bursts of contraction |
| Slow rate of contraction | Fast rate of contraction |
| Extensor muscle | Muscles of the eye ball |
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