SMOOTH MUSCLE– 1
Smooth muscle fibers, unlike other types of muscle cells, are spindle-shaped; their ends are thinner than their centers.
The shape of the cells can be clearly seen in the histological section image, which shows smooth muscle fibers sectioned longitudinally. This is a thin bundle of smooth muscle, the fibers of which are separated from each other, making it easier to observe.
Some fibers are highlighted after placing the cursor or clicking on the image. The cytoplasm of these fibers is highlighted in red, and their nuclei in blue.
Observe in the diagram that the nuclei occupy a central position in the cell, in the region where the cytoplasm is thickest. For this reason, many fibers sectioned transversely appear to lack nuclei. This is because the sections are made randomly and often do not pass through the nuclear region of the cells.
Some nuclei of a section of the smooth muscle cells shown in the lowest figura become highlighted in green when using the mouse.
The shape of the cells can be clearly seen in the histological section image, which shows smooth muscle fibers sectioned longitudinally. This is a thin bundle of smooth muscle, the fibers of which are separated from each other, making it easier to observe.
Some fibers are highlighted after placing the cursor or clicking on the image. The cytoplasm of these fibers is highlighted in red, and their nuclei in blue.
Observe in the diagram that the nuclei occupy a central position in the cell, in the region where the cytoplasm is thickest. For this reason, many fibers sectioned transversely appear to lack nuclei. This is because the sections are made randomly and often do not pass through the nuclear region of the cells.
Some nuclei of a section of the smooth muscle cells shown in the lowest figura become highlighted in green when using the mouse.
Drawing of cardiac muscle cells as seen in a longitudinal section.
Drawing of cardiac muscle cells as seen in a transversal section.
