smooth muscle

American  

noun

Anatomy.

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

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smooth muscle British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of smooth muscle

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

smooth muscle

PIEZO1 operates primarily within the smooth muscle of the uterus, where it detects rising pressure as contractions strengthen.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 13, 2026

They start to secrete renin and substances that trigger other changes: New nerves grow like weeds; immature smooth muscle cells build up; scars form around the tiny blood vessels, called arterioles; and inflammatory cells infiltrate.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 21, 2024

During an attack, the smooth muscle surrounding the airways starts to squeeze and tighten, known as bronchoconstriction.

From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2024

Civelek and his team measured these proteins, and related proteins, in smooth muscle cells collected from 123 heart transplant donors.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 11, 2024

What causes the contraction of smooth muscle fibers?

From Hygienic Physiology : with Special Reference to the Use of Alcoholic Drinks and Narcotics by Steele, Joel Dorman