SMOOTH-MUSCLE Meaning and
Definition
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Smooth muscle is a type of muscle tissue that is found in the walls of internal organs, such as the stomach, intestines, blood vessels, and uterus. It is called "smooth" muscle due to its smooth and non-striated appearance when viewed under a microscope. This muscle type is distinct from the other two types of muscle tissue, skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle.
Smooth muscle differs from skeletal and cardiac muscle in several ways. One key difference is that smooth muscle is under involuntary control, meaning it is not directly under conscious control. It contracts and relaxes in response to signals from the autonomic nervous system. Another distinguishing characteristic is that smooth muscle cells have a single nucleus, whereas skeletal muscle cells are multinucleated.
The function of smooth muscle is to control the movements of various organs and structures within the body. It accomplishes this through slow, rhythmic contractions that are sustained over a longer period of time compared to the rapid and forceful contractions of skeletal muscle. Contractions of smooth muscle propel substances through the digestive tract, regulate blood flow through blood vessels, and facilitate the process of childbirth.
Smooth muscle plays a crucial role in maintaining various bodily functions, and its dysfunction can lead to numerous health conditions. Examples of smooth muscle-related disorders include gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, vascular conditions like hypertension, and uterine complications such as painful menstruation.
Common Misspellings for SMOOTH-MUSCLE
- smoothpmuscle
- smooth0-muscle
- smooth-0muscle
- smoothp-muscle
- smooth-pmuscle
- smooth--muscle
- smoothmmuscle
Etymology of SMOOTH-MUSCLE
The word "smooth-muscle" consists of two parts: "smooth" and "muscle".
The term "smooth" comes from the Old English word "smōth", which means "without roughness,even, level". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "smōthaz", meaning "smooth".
The word "muscle" can be traced back to the Latin word "musculus", derived from the term "mus", meaning "mouse". In ancient times, people observed that the shape of flexing muscles resembled the movement of mice, which led to the name "musculus". This term was then adapted into various European languages and eventually became "muscle" in English.
Thus, the term "smooth-muscle" refers to a type of muscle tissue that lacks striations or visible banding under a microscope.
