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. See striped muscle
   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

Example Sentences

Both cardiac and smooth muscles are involuntary, meaning we can’t tell them to tense or relax.

From Popular-Science

Besides these places where smooth muscle is found there are some in the eye.

From Project Gutenberg

Smooth muscle has the duty of operating the internal organs.

From Project Gutenberg

Smooth muscle does not have to be so highly developed, then, as is skeletal.

From Project Gutenberg

The orbital capsule of the eye (smooth muscle) propels the eye-ball forward.

From Project Gutenberg

They are known to occur also in smooth muscle-fibre, in cartilage cells, in connective-tissue cells, and in some nerve-cells.

From Project Gutenberg