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involuntary muscle
noun
: muscle governing reflex functions and not under direct voluntary control
especially
: smooth muscle
Examples of involuntary muscle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Focal dystonia, a neurological disorder that causes involuntary muscle spasms, may also cause the twisties.
—Colleen Murphy, Health, 22 Mar. 2024
According to the National Institutes of Health, dystonia is a neurological movement disorder seen in MS that's characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that cause slow repetitive movements or abnormal postures that can sometimes be painful.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023
As the creature’s 14-foot-long body was convulsed by one last set of involuntary muscle contractions, its powerful sharklike tail twitched and stirred the bottom mud.
—Robert Baker, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2019
For example, a person is not to be blamed for striking someone if that behavior resulted from an involuntary muscle spasm in the arm.
—James Ryerson, BostonGlobe.com, 18 July 2023
There are already more than 100,000 people around the world using deep brain stimulation to ease the involuntary muscle movements associated with Parkinson’s disease.
—Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 27 May 2014
Movement disorders were also symptoms of a post-COVID brain, including tremors, involuntary muscle contractions, epileptic seizures, hearing and vision abnormalities, and balance and coordination difficulties.
—Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 23 Sep. 2022
The first and mildest stage is heat cramps, which are characterized by involuntary muscle spasms.
—Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2022
Tremors—involuntary muscle contractions—were found to show up as many as 10 years before a Parkinson's diagnosis, becoming more frequent in the two years leading up to one.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Health.com, 1 Apr. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'involuntary muscle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1840, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of involuntary muscle was
in 1840
Dictionary Entries Near involuntary muscle
Cite this Entry
“Involuntary muscle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/involuntary%20muscle. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
involuntary muscle
nounMedical Definition
involuntary muscle
noun
: muscle governing reflex functions and not under direct voluntary control
especially
: smooth muscle
More from Merriam-Webster on involuntary muscle
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about involuntary muscle
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