This slide shows a longitudinal section of smooth muscle that has been teased apart to reveal the individual muscle cells.  Note the spindle shaped muscle fibers, each of which has a single, elongated nucleus.  Smooth muscle is the simplest of the three types of muscle tissue.  It is found where slow, sustained contractions are needed such as in the digestive tract, uterus and other internal organs.  Involuntary in nature, its actions are under control of the autonomic nervous system.

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