Smooth muscles are involuntary, non-striated muscles that control the movement of internal organs. The word "smooth" is spelled with the short "u" sound /smʊð/, which is represented in the IPA phonetic transcription as /smʊð/. The "oo" sound in "smooth" is pronounced as /u/ in British English and /ʊ/ in American English, while the "th" sound is pronounced as /ð/. "Muscles" is spelled as /ˈmʌsəlz/, with the first syllable pronounced as /mʌs/ and the second syllable as /əlz/.
Smooth muscles are a type of muscle tissue found in the body that are responsible for involuntary contractions. These muscles are named "smooth" due to their appearance under a microscope, as they lack the characteristic striations or bands present in skeletal muscles. Smooth muscles are found in various organs and tissues, such as the walls of blood vessels, the digestive tract, the respiratory system, and the reproductive system.
Smooth muscles perform key functions in the body, including the regulation of blood flow, movement of food through the digestive system, and dilation or constriction of airways. Unlike skeletal muscles that are under conscious control, smooth muscles are regulated by the autonomic nervous system, meaning they function without conscious awareness.
The contractions of smooth muscles are slow and sustained, allowing them to maintain a constant level of tension. This makes them well-suited for tasks that require endurance, such as maintaining blood pressure or sustaining contractions during childbirth.
Smooth muscles are composed of elongated cells with a single nucleus. These cells possess specialized proteins that enable them to contract and relax. The contraction of smooth muscles occurs in a coordinated manner, ensuring efficient movement of substances through the body. Additionally, smooth muscles have the ability to regenerate and adapt to various stimuli, such as hormonal changes or physical stress.
In summary, smooth muscles are involuntary muscles found in different organs and tissues, responsible for slow and sustained contractions that aid in the regulation of bodily functions.
The word "smooth muscles" comes from the combination of the English adjective "smooth" and the noun "muscles".
The term "smooth" originated in Old English as "smōth" and derived from the Proto-Germanic word "smōthaz", which meant "even" or "level". It evolved through Middle English to its current form, referring to a lack of roughness or irregularities.
The word "muscles" stems from the Latin term "musculus", which translates to "little mouse". This etymology is attributed to the appearance of muscle contractions resembling the movement of a mouse. The Latin term "musculus" eventually entered Middle English as "muscle", referring to the bodily tissue responsible for movement.