What it means
One of the three kinds of muscle, along with skeletal muscleSKEL-uh-tul MUS-ulMuscle attached to bones that a person moves by choice, such as the muscles of the arms and legs.Full entry and heart muscle. It is called smooth because it has no stripes under the microscope. It contracts slowly and on its own, under the control of the autonomic nervous systemaw-tuh-NOM-ik NUR-vus SIS-tumThe part of the nervous system that controls body functions without conscious thought, such as heart rate, breathing and digestion.auto- selfnom/o law, control-ic relating toFull entry and hormones: it moves food through the gut, narrows or widens blood vessels and airways, and empties the bladder.
For the nurse
Many drugs act on smooth muscle: bronchodilators relax airway muscle in asthma, and some blood pressure drugs relax the muscle in artery walls. Spasm of smooth muscle causes cramping pain, such as with kidney stones or bowel obstruction.
At a glance
| Spanish | músculo liso |
|---|---|
| Also written | smooth muscles, smooth-muscle |
Related terms
autonomic nervous system
The part of the nervous system that controls body functions without conscious thought, such as heart rate, breathing and digestion.
contraction
The tightening and shortening of a muscle.
skeletal muscle
Muscle attached to bones that a person moves by choice, such as the muscles of the arms and legs.