Contractility

Contractility: The ability to shorten (1).
  • Contractility: Muscle cells are unique in the amount they can shorten when stimulated; this is this largerly due to the highly organized and unique arrangement of myofilaments (actin and myosin).
  1. Saladin, K. (2012). Anatomy & Physiology: The unity of form and function. (6th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Related Terms

  • Actin
  • Myosin
  • Muscle Fiber
  • Sarcomere

Synonyms

  • Muscle Contraction
  • Muscle Shortening
  • Myofilament Contraction
  • Contractility