muscle contraction

Noun
  1. (physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber) (synset 100370610)
    referred to in: physiology - the branch of the biological sciences dealing with the functioning of organisms
    is a type of: shortening - act of decreasing in length
    subtypes:
    • contracture - an abnormal and usually permanent contraction of a muscle
    • tetanus - a sustained muscular contraction resulting from a rapid series of nerve impulses
    • uterine contraction - a rhythmic tightening in labor of the upper uterine musculature that contracts the size of the uterus and pushes the fetus toward the birth canal
    • braxton-hicks contraction, false labor - painless contractions of the muscles of the uterus that continue throughout pregnancy with increasing frequency
    • vaginismus - muscular contraction that causes the vagina to close; usually an anxiety reaction before coitus or pelvic examination
    same as: contraction, muscular contraction

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