SMOOTH MUSCLE Meaning and
Definition
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Smooth muscle is a type of muscle tissue found in the walls of various organs, blood vessels, and other structures within the body. It is characterized by its uniform appearance, lacking the striations that are seen in other muscle types like skeletal and cardiac muscle. Smooth muscle is involuntary, meaning it is not under conscious control, and is responsible for the contraction and relaxation necessary for various bodily functions.
Smooth muscle cells are elongated and spindle-shaped, with a single nucleus located in the center. They are connected by gap junctions, allowing for coordinated contraction of the entire muscle. This type of muscle tissue provides support and structure to organs, along with controlling the movement of substances through these structures.
The contraction of smooth muscle is regulated by the autonomic nervous system and various chemical signals, such as hormones. Smooth muscle contraction can be initiated by depolarization of the cell membrane, calcium influx, or stimulation from neurotransmitters and hormones. This smooth muscle contraction allows for various bodily functions, such as digestion, urinary bladder emptying, and regulation of blood pressure.
Smooth muscle is also capable of sustained contractions and can maintain tension for extended periods of time. This property allows smooth muscle to regulate blood flow and control the diameter of blood vessels, aiding in the regulation of overall blood pressure within the body.
In conclusion, smooth muscle is a non-striated, involuntary muscle tissue found in various organs and structures throughout the body. Its contraction is crucial for the regulation of bodily functions and organ support.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SMOOTH MUSCLE
- amooth muscle
- zmooth muscle
- xmooth muscle
- dmooth muscle
- emooth muscle
- wmooth muscle
- snooth muscle
- skooth muscle
- sjooth muscle
- smioth muscle
- smkoth muscle
- smloth muscle
- smpoth muscle
- sm0oth muscle
- sm9oth muscle
- smoith muscle
- smokth muscle
- smolth muscle
- smopth muscle
Etymology of SMOOTH MUSCLE
The word "smooth muscle" has a straightforward etymology.
The term "smooth" comes from the Old English word "smōth", which was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "smōthaz", meaning "smooth" or "level". This is the same root as the modern word "smooth" itself.
On the other hand, the term "muscle" comes from the Latin word "musculus", which referred to "a small mouse". This term was used to describe the muscles because the Romans believed that the muscles looked like small mice crawling under the skin.
Therefore, the combination of "smooth" and "muscle" describes a type of muscle tissue that lacks striations (striped appearance) observed in other muscle types, such as cardiac or skeletal muscles.
Similar spelling word for SMOOTH MUSCLE
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