Definition of Muscle contraction

1. Noun. (physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber).

Exact synonyms: Contraction, Muscular Contraction
Generic synonyms: Shortening
Specialized synonyms: Contracture, Tetanus, Uterine Contraction, Braxton-hicks Contraction, False Labor, Vaginismus
Category relationships: Physiology
Derivative terms: Contract

Medical Definition of Muscle contraction

1. A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments. (12 Dec 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Muscle Contraction

muscle-tendon junction
muscle-trimming
muscle-up
muscle-ups
muscle Marys
muscle biopsy
muscle boys
muscle builder
muscle building
muscle bundle
muscle car
muscle cars
muscle cell
muscle contraction (current term)
muscle curve
muscle denervation
muscle dysmorphia
muscle epithelium
muscle fascicle
muscle fatigue
muscle fiber
muscle fibers
muscle fibre
muscle fibres
muscle hypertonia
muscle hypotonia
muscle in

Literary usage of Muscle contraction

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Manual of Physiology by Gerald Francis Yeo (1890)
"The chemical changes which take place during muscle contraction are probably the ... muscle contraction."

2. Human physiology, statical and dynamical, or, The conditions and course of by John William Draper (1878)
"Doctrine that muscle contraction is the result of Muscle Disintegration. ... muscle contraction ..."

3. Steno on Muscles by Troels Kardel (1994)
"... each other's writings on muscle contraction with respect.44 Unfortunately, ... on muscle contraction was published not during his lifetime, but in 1737. ..."

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