part of part of smooth muscle cell myometrial cell 2010-09-23T03:46:34Z Myometrial cells are specialized smooth muscle cells located in the myometrium, the middle layer of the uterine wall. Unique to female reproductive physiology, they play a key role in pregnancy and childbirth. These cells are distinctive in their capability to substantially increase in size and number during pregnancy, preparing the uterus to accommodate the growing fetus. As pregnancy progresses, myometrial cells demonstrate a progressive growth in uterine mass through cellular hypertrophy. They are also responsible for the production of extracellular matrix proteins like collagen, which aids in supporting cell structure and function, further facilitating uterine enlargement. During childbirth, myometrial cells are responsible for the expansion and contraction of the uterus. They can propagate action potentials and generate considerable force, which is critical to their function in the reproductive system. After pregnancy, these cells can reduce in size, a process known as uterine involution. Given the important role these cells play in female reproductive physiology, dysregulation of the myometrial cell function can contribute to uterine pathologies such as uterine fibroids. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) myometrium smooth muscle cell https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_0002366 BTO:0004519 A smooth muscle cell of the myometrium that enlarges and stretches during pregnancy, and contracts in response to oxytocin. uterine smooth muscle cell myometrium