smooth muscle

noun Anatomy.

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

Origin of smooth muscle

First recorded in 1885–90

Words nearby smooth muscle

smooth diet, smooth dogfish, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, smooth fox terrier, smooth hound, smooth muscle, smooth over, smooth sailing, smooth snake, smooth sumac, smooth-faced

British Dictionary definitions for smooth muscle

smooth muscle

noun

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

Word Origin for smooth muscle

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

Medical definitions for smooth muscle

smooth muscle

n.

Muscle tissue that contracts without voluntary control, having fine myofibrils but lacking transverse striations and found in the walls of internal organs, blood vessels, and hair follicles.