INVOLUNTARY MUSCLE Meaning and
Definition
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Involuntary muscle, also known as smooth muscle or nonstriated muscle, refers to a type of muscle tissue found within the walls of numerous organs and structures, as well as in the blood vessels. This type of muscle is classified as involuntary because its actions are not consciously controlled by an individual's will or intention. Unlike skeletal and cardiac muscle, which are striated and under conscious control, involuntary muscle is composed of thin, elongated cells that lack the distinct striped appearance.
Involuntary muscles possess unique characteristics that contribute to their functions. Firstly, they contract and relax more slowly than skeletal muscle, allowing for sustained contractions needed to maintain continuous functions such as regulating blood pressure or moving substances through the digestive system. Secondly, involuntary muscles are also capable of rhythmic contractions, which facilitate the movement of substances in structures like the intestines or the urinary bladder.
The control of involuntary muscle is governed by the autonomic nervous system, an unconscious part of the peripheral nervous system. The stimulation of involuntary muscle is usually executed through the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system, which regulate various physiological processes in response to internal and external stimuli.
In summary, involuntary muscles are nonstriated muscle tissues located in the walls of organs, blood vessels, and other structures. They perform crucial functions required for various bodily processes, such as peristalsis, constriction of blood vessels, and regulation of essential organ activity. These muscles are involuntary and under the control of the autonomic nervous system, enabling them to execute their functions automatically without conscious effort.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for INVOLUNTARY MUSCLE
- unvoluntary muscle
- jnvoluntary muscle
- knvoluntary muscle
- onvoluntary muscle
- 9nvoluntary muscle
- 8nvoluntary muscle
- ibvoluntary muscle
- imvoluntary muscle
- ijvoluntary muscle
- ihvoluntary muscle
- incoluntary muscle
- inboluntary muscle
- ingoluntary muscle
- infoluntary muscle
- inviluntary muscle
- invkluntary muscle
- invlluntary muscle
- invpluntary muscle
- inv0luntary muscle
Etymology of INVOLUNTARY MUSCLE
The etymology of the term "involuntary muscle" can be understood by analyzing the individual components of the phrase.
1. Involuntary: The word "involuntary" originated from the Latin term "involuntarius", which is a combination of "in-" (meaning "not" or "without") and "voluntarius" (meaning "voluntary" or "willing"). In this context, "involuntary" refers to activities or processes that occur without conscious control or volition. It implies that involuntary muscles operate without conscious effort or control.
2. Muscle: The word "muscle" comes from the Latin term "musculus", which means "little mouse". This association is due to the similarity between a contracting muscle under the skin and a mouse moving. The word later evolved to refer to the contractile tissues found in animals responsible for body movement.
Similar spelling word for INVOLUNTARY MUSCLE
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