SMOOTH MUSCLE – 5
Differentiating smooth muscle from connective tissue in histological sections.
Bundles of smooth muscle cells in longitudinal section can sometimes be confused with dense connective tissue. The nuclei in the two tissues may also have a similar appearance.
Bundles of smooth muscle cells in longitudinal section can sometimes be confused with dense connective tissue. The nuclei in the two tissues may also have a similar appearance.
Main differences
Organization of the fibers: Smooth muscle cells are arranged in relatively regular, parallel bundles, whereas the collagen fibers in dense connective tissue vary in thickness and may be arranged in different directions.
Position of the nuclei: In smooth muscle, the nuclei are located usually in the center of the cells. In connective tissue, the nuclei belong to fibroblasts or other connective tissue cells and are located between the collagen fibers.
The upper part of the image shows smooth muscle fivbers and the lower part shows dense irregular connective tissue
Smoot muscle and dense connective tissue.Staining: HE. Magnification: medium.
END OF CHAPTER 8 MUSCLE TISSUE