Canadian Medical Guide > Biological Sciences > Musculoskeletal, Neural, and Ocular Physiology > Musculoskeletal Physiology > Musculoskeletal Physiologic Processes > Muscle Contraction Terms and Definitions

Muscle Contraction

Medical Definition:	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.
Guide Notes:	do not use for HEART or MYOCARDIUM ( = MYOCARDIAL CONTRACTION) or UTERUS ( = UTERINE CONTRACTION)
Also Called:	Inotropism,Muscle Tension

Muscle Contraction Categories.

	Isometric Contraction- Muscular contractions characterized by increase in tension without change in length.
	Isotonic Contraction - Muscle contraction with negligible change in the force of contraction but shortening of the distance between the origin and insertion.
	Muscle Relaxation - That phase of a muscle twitch during which a muscle returns to a resting position.

Muscle Contraction Medical Definitions and Terms

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