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Depiction of smooth muscle contraction. Muscle contraction is the activation of tension-generating sites within muscle cells. [1] [2] In physiology, muscle contraction does not necessarily mean muscle shortening because muscle tension can be produced without changes in muscle length, such as when holding something heavy in the same position. [1]
during contraction, actin filaments move into the A bands and the H zone is filled up reducing its stretch, the I bands shorten, the Z line comes in contact with the A bands; and; the possible driving force of contraction is the actin-myosin linkages which depend on ATP hydrolysis by the myosin.
A fused tetanic contraction is the strongest single-unit twitch in contraction. [6] When tetanized, the contracting tension in the muscle remains constant in a steady state. This is the maximal possible contraction. [3] During tetanic contractions, muscles can shorten, lengthen or remain constant length. [7]
The higher the recruitment the stronger the muscle contraction will be. Motor units are generally recruited in order of smallest to largest (smallest motor neurons to largest motor neurons, and thus slow to fast twitch) as contraction increases. This is known as Henneman's size principle. [4]
The non-pregnant uterus undergoes small, spontaneous contractions in addition to stronger, coordinated contractions during the menstrual cycle and orgasm. Throughout gestation , [ 1 ] the uterus enters a state of uterine quiescence due to various neural and hormonal changes.
Reciprocal inhibition is a neuromuscular process in which muscles on one side of a joint relax to allow the contraction of muscles on the opposite side, enabling smooth and coordinated movement. [1] This concept, introduced by Charles Sherrington , a pioneering neuroscientist , is also referred to as reflexive antagonism in some allied health ...
An increase in preload results in an increased force of contraction by Starling's law of the heart; this does not require a change in contractility. An increase in afterload will increase contractility (through the Anrep effect). [4] An increase in heart rate will increase contractility (through the Bowditch effect). [4]
In physiology, medicine, and anatomy, muscle tone (residual muscle tension or tonus) is the continuous and passive partial contraction of the muscles, or the muscle's resistance to passive stretch during resting state. [1] [2] It helps to maintain posture and declines during REM sleep. [3]