Vascular smooth muscle

Vascular Smooth Muscle is a type of smooth muscle that is found within, and composes the majority of the wall of blood vessels. It is a key component of the vascular system, which is responsible for the transportation of blood throughout the body.

Structure

Vascular smooth muscle refers to the particular type of smooth muscle found within the walls of blood vessels. Unlike cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle, smooth muscle is not striated. Its structure is instead characterized by a series of dense bodies that are dispersed throughout the cytoplasm of the muscle cell. These dense bodies are connected to the cell membrane by intermediate filaments, which are responsible for transmitting the contractile force to the cell membrane.

Function

The primary function of vascular smooth muscle is the regulation of blood vessel tone and therefore the control of blood pressure and blood flow distribution. It does this by contracting and relaxing in response to various stimuli, such as neurotransmitters, hormones, and local factors within the blood.

Clinical significance

Abnormalities in vascular smooth muscle function can lead to a variety of diseases, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and stroke. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that regulate vascular smooth muscle function is crucial for the development of treatments for these diseases.

See also

• Smooth muscle
• Blood vessels
• Vascular system