smooth muscle

noun

: muscle tissue that lacks cross striations, is made up of elongated spindle-shaped cells having a central nucleus, and is found especially in vertebrate hollow organs and structures (such as the digestive tract and bladder) as thin sheets performing functions not subject to direct voluntary control and in all or most of the musculature of invertebrates other than arthropods compare striated muscle

Examples of smooth muscle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The receptors control constriction and dilation in the smooth muscle fibers in the walls of these blood vessels. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024

Antihistamines work by binding to histamine receptors on the brain, spinal cord, smooth muscles, and other tissues of the body. —Daniel More, Verywell Health, 9 Mar. 2024

To get things flowing, O’Connor suggests switching to hot water because hot drinks can help smooth muscle relaxation and help out with your bowel movements. —Ayana Underwood, SELF, 30 Jan. 2024

Caffeine has multiple actions in the body, which can affect the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, kidneys, and smooth muscles. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 5 Dec. 2023

Esophageal dysmotility: The smooth muscles that line the esophagus lose normal movement and function. —Rachael Zimlich, Bsn, Rn, Verywell Health, 13 July 2023

Through a series of experiments, Dr. Murad discovered that nitroglycerin releases nitric oxide, which relaxes smooth muscle cells. —Michael S. Rosenwald, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2023

Red Boost claims to optimize smooth muscle, allowing blood to flow into erectile tissue and remain firmly trapped there. —Jon Goodwin, Discover Magazine, 30 Dec. 2022

This dysfunction can cause major problems, such as in the esophagus, where the smooth muscles that line the organ don’t contract and move food effectively. —Rachael Zimlich, Bsn, Rn, Verywell Health, 13 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

smooth muscle

noun

: muscle that is made up of long thin cells with a single nucleus and no cross stripes, that is found especially in hollow organs and parts (as the bladder and blood vessels), and that is not under voluntary control

called also involuntary muscle

compare striated muscle

Medical Definition

smooth muscle

noun

: muscle tissue that lacks cross striations, that is made up of elongated spindle-shaped cells having a central nucleus, and that is found especially in vertebrate hollow organs and structures (as the small intestine and bladder) as thin sheets performing functions not subject to direct voluntary control and in all or most of the musculature of invertebrates other than arthropods

called also nonstriated muscle, unstriated muscle

compare cardiac muscle, striated muscle