Myogenic tone
Myogenic tone (pronounced: my-o-gen-ic tone) is a physiological process that refers to the inherent contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle cells. This process is crucial in the regulation of blood flow in small arteries and arterioles.
Etymology
The term "myogenic" is derived from the Greek words "myo," meaning muscle, and "genesis," meaning origin. The term "tone" in this context refers to the tension or resistance in a muscle.
Physiology
The myogenic mechanism is a response to changes in pressure in the walls of blood vessels. When the pressure increases, the smooth muscle cells in the walls of the arteries contract, reducing the diameter of the blood vessel and increasing resistance to blood flow. Conversely, when the pressure decreases, the smooth muscle cells relax, increasing the diameter of the blood vessel and reducing resistance to blood flow. This mechanism helps to maintain a constant blood flow despite changes in blood pressure.
Related Terms
- Smooth muscle: A type of muscle tissue which is used by various systems to apply pressure to vessels and organs.
- Arteriole: A small-diameter blood vessel that extends and branches out from an artery and leads to capillaries.
- Blood flow: The continuous circulation of blood in the cardiovascular system.
- Blood pressure: The pressure of circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Myogenic tone
- Wikipedia's article - Myogenic tone
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