smooth muscle

noun

Anatomy.

1. involuntary muscle tissue in the walls of viscera and blood vessels, consisting of nonstriated, spindle-shaped cells.

smooth muscle

noun

1. muscle that is capable of slow rhythmic involuntary contractions: occurs in the walls of the blood vessels, alimentary canal, etc Compare striped muscle

Word History and Origins

Origin of smooth muscle¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Word History and Origins

Origin of smooth muscle¹

so called because there is no cross-banding on the muscle