Smooth Muscle Cells
Smooth Muscle Cells

Smooth Muscle Cells

Smooth muscle fibers are long, spindle-shaped (fusiform) cells. Note the single and centrally placed nucleus in each smooth muscle cell. The absence of striation is also characteristic of the smooth muscle cells. How does the number and location of the nuclei in smooth muscle compare to that in striated muscle?
Answer: Smooth muscle cells usually have one nucleus per cell and the nucleus resides in the center of the cell. Striated muscle cells contain multiple nuclei located at the periphery.