Now, there are three different types of skeletal muscles as we'll see in just a moment. And although all these different types of skeletal muscle have their differences, they are all controlled by the somatic nervous system them and they all consist of the same type of general structure. Now, what exactly are these muscles? What are their differences and similarities and what is their function? So let's begin with type one skeletal muscle, also known as slow oxidative or slow twitch muscle. Now, slow simply means the breakdown rate of ATP is slow.