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Are the smooth muscles in continuous working (contract & relax) for life? For example, if the stomach is empty, will it work or not? How do both states (contract & relax) work in the body according to the organ? Note: ignore the peristaltic period please.
Question Date: 2012-11-05
Answer 1:

We have smooth muscles at work all over your body. In fact, smooth muscle is found in virtually all organ systems in the body. In your stomach and digestive system, they contract (tighten up) and relax to allow food to make its journey through the body. Your smooth muscles come in handy if you're sick and you need to throw up. The muscles push the food back out of the stomach so it comes up through the esophagus and out of the mouth. Smooth muscles are also found in your bladder. When they're relaxed, they allow you to hold in urine until you can get to the bathroom. Then they contract so that you can push the urine out. These muscles are also in a woman's uterus, which is where a baby develops. There they help to push the baby out of the mother's body when it's time to be born. You'll also find smooth muscles at work behind the scenes in your eyes, too. These muscles keep the eyes focused. Though smooth muscles work a lot they do not work continuously like cardiac muscles.



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