What is the structure of smooth muscle tissue?

Smooth muscle consists of thick and thin filaments that are not arranged into sarcomeres giving it a non-striated pattern. On microscopic examination, it will appear homogenous. Smooth muscle cytoplasm contains a large amount of actin and myosin. Actin and myosin act as the main proteins involved in muscle contraction.

What is the structure and function of smooth muscle?

Smooth muscle is a type of muscle tissue which is used by various systems to apply pressure to vessels and organs. Smooth muscle is composed of sheets or strands of smooth muscle cells. These cells have fibers of actin and myosin which run through the cell and are supported by a framework of other proteins.

What is the morphology of smooth muscle?

A smooth muscle cell has no transverse striations in spite of its actin and myosin filaments, has no T tubules, has numerous caveolae, and has an extensive insertion of the contractile apparatus on its cell membrane over the entire cell length.

What is the structure of the muscle tissue?

The muscular tissues are bundled together and surrounded by a tough connective tissue similar to cartilage known as epimysium. The bundle of nerve cells that run in long fibers called fascicles are surrounded by the epimysium. The fascicles are surrounded by a protective layer known as perimysium.

What are the characteristics of smooth muscle tissue?

Four characteristics define smooth muscle tissue cells: they are involuntarily controlled, not striated, not branched, and singly nucleated. The unconscious regions of the brain control visceral muscle through the autonomic and enteric nervous systems. Thus, visceral muscle is involuntarily controlled.

What is the significance of microstructure in the material properties?

The microstructure of a material (such as metals, polymers, ceramics or composites) can strongly influence physical properties such as strength, toughness, ductility, hardness, corrosion resistance, high/low temperature behaviour or wear resistance.

What is the microscopic structure of skeletal muscle?

Skeletal muscles are bundles of fascicles (bundles of muscle fibers) surrounded by epimysium (fibrous elastic tissue). Fascicles are bundles of muscle fibers surrounded by perimysium (connective tissue). A single muscle fiber is surrounded by a layer of endomysium (areolar connective tissue).

What is the histology of smooth muscle?

Histology at SIU. Smooth muscle ( (unlike skeletal muscle) consists of individual cells (leiomyocytes), each cell with its own nucleus. The function of smooth muscle also differs substantially from that of striated muscle. Neurotransmitter activitation of smooth muscle is fairly diffuse.

How does the structure of smooth and cardiac muscle differ from the structure of skeletal muscle?

Cardiac Muscles: Cardiac muscles comprise branching chains of cells, which are connected by porous intercalated discs with a single nucleus. Skeletal Muscles: Skeletal muscles comprise very long, cylindrical, multinucleated cells. Smooth Muscles: Smooth muscles comprise single, tapering, single nucleated cells.

What are the three characteristics of smooth muscle cells?

Visceral Muscle Four characteristics define smooth muscle tissue cells: they are involuntarily controlled, not striated, not branched, and singly nucleated.

How do you explain microstructure?

Microstructure are material structures seen at the micro level. Specifically, they are structures of an object, organism, or material as revealed by a microscope at magnifications greater than 25 times. When typically mentioned, the microstructure are defects, impurities, grains, and grain boundary.

What is macroscopic structure of muscle?

Arrangement of the fascicles in skeletal muscles have certain patterns and arrangements including: circular muscle: fascicles arranged in a circle (also called sphincters) convergent muscle: broad muscle with fascicles converging in a single point of attachment.

What is microscopic structure?

Microscopic anatomy (micro; small) is a branch of anatomy that relies on the use of microscopes to examine the smallest structures of the body; tissues, cells, and molecules. The extent to which microscopic anatomy can be examined is limited by the equipment available.

Why is smooth muscle spindle shaped?

The spindle shape of the mononucleated smooth muscle cell permits a close contact among cells in the splanchnic and vascular walls.

Do smooth muscles have Myofilaments?

FIGURE 2.1. Highlights the fusiform shape of typical smooth muscle cells and the patterned array of actin myosin myofilaments across the cell. Smooth muscle cells have invaginations along their length to provide increased surface area for mechanical coupling via (more…)

What is the main difference between skeletal and smooth muscle?

Smooth muscles are an involuntary muscle while skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles. 3. Smooth muscles are not under conscious control while skeletal muscles are under conscious control.