Smooth Muscle Cells
Smooth muscle cells are specialized contractile cells found in the walls of hollow organs such as the stomach, intestines, arteries and uterine tubes. These cells are responsible for controlling movement within the body and are essential for proper organ function. Smooth muscle cells differ from skeletal muscle cells in their structure and the way they contract. Instead of having striated cross-banding, such as skeletal muscle, smooth muscle has an evenly distributed actin and myosin filaments that overlap each other. Smooth muscle cells are capable of contracting even without the presence of neural stimulation or hormones, and they play an important role in cardiovascular health, smooth muscle contraction in the digestive system, and controlling the flow of substances through the endothelium.
← Journal of Skeletal Muscle