When smooth muscle fibers are sectioned parallel to the long axis, you will see the elongated fibers and nuclei.

When smooth muscle fibers are cut perpendicular to the long axis, you will see a ring of cytoplasm, and it is easy to see the cell borders. A majority of fibers will have no visible nucleus, i.e., it is out of the plane of section.

Of course, a smooth muscle cell nucleus will appear round in cross-section rather than elongated.

This is smooth muscle once again.

With your study partners, find:

• the area where the smooth muscle is cut longitudinally ("lengthwise")


• the area where the smooth muscle is cut transversely ("cross section")

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Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences