Visceral or Smooth Muscle

• This muscle type has nonstriated fibers of smaller diameter than skeletal muscle fibers, with one nucleus/fiber.

Examine the smooth muscle fibers cut transversely and longitudinally in the musculature of the esophagus (slide 66) and the small intestine (slide 21).

• Using Figs. 10-19 through 10-21, identify fibers, fascicles, and the connective tissue layers, comparing these features to those of skeletal muscle. (The CT layers are generally not named in smooth muscle.)

Examine electron micrographs of smooth muscle (Fig. 10-20).

Why are striations not evident in smooth muscle?

Why are satellite cells not present in smooth muscle?

Next is cardiac muscle.