Visceral or Smooth Muscle

• This muscle type has nonstriated fibers of smaller diameter than skeletal muscle fibers, with one nucleus/fiber.
• Notice how the muscle fibers have been cut in various planes.
• Compare the features of smooth muscle with those you studied in skeletal muscle.

Examine the smooth muscle fibers cut transversely and longitudinally:

Are fiber diameters larger in skeletal or smooth muscle?

Why are striations not evident in smooth muscle?

Why are satellite cells not present in smooth muscle?

Next is cardiac muscle.