part of smooth muscle cell smooth muscle cell of trachea 2011-03-06T05:50:28Z A smooth muscle cell of the trachea. Smooth muscle cells of the trachea have a characteristic 'smooth' (non-striated) appearance under the microscope, a distinguishing feature that differentiates them from skeletal and cardiac muscle cells. The smooth appearance is due to the organization of actin and myosin filaments in the cell, which allows for a controlled, contractile function. These cells play a key role in controlling the diameter of the trachea, thus regulating the airflow. They are responsible for the involuntary constriction and relaxation of the trachea influencing the air passage during various physiological behaviors like breathing, coughing, and sneezing. This autonomic control allows for adaptations to specific body requirements without conscious control, such as increasing air flow during exercise or restricting it during rest. In conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema, there are changes in smooth muscle cells. For example, the mass of smooth muscle cells increases in chronic airway diseases, possibly in response to chronic inflammation. This increase may indicate a pathological condition or be a part of the body's response to injury and repair. (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.) https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_0002600 tracheobronchial smooth muscle cell trachea