______muscles are closely associated with the skeletal components of the body.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Identify the Type of Muscles**: The question asks for the type of muscles that are closely associated with the skeletal components of the body.

2. **Define Skeletal Muscles**: Skeletal muscles are the muscles that are attached to the bones of the skeleton. They play a crucial role in movement and locomotion.

3. **Characteristics of Skeletal Muscles**:
- **Striated Appearance**: Skeletal muscles have a striated (striped) appearance due to the arrangement of muscle fibers, which consist of alternating light and dark bands.
- **Voluntary Control**: These muscles are under voluntary control, meaning that their movements can be consciously controlled by the nervous system.

4. **Function of Skeletal Muscles**: Skeletal muscles are primarily involved in locomotion (movement of the body), changes in body posture, and are commonly found in the limbs.

5. **Examples of Skeletal Muscles**: Common examples include the biceps and triceps, which are located in the arms and are responsible for various movements.

6. **Final Answer**: Based on the above information, the answer to the question is "skeletal muscles."

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