Smooth muscle from the wall of the intestine (cat) showing layers cut in cross section and longitudinal section
Note the centrally localed nuclei in the spindle-shaped fibers. In the longitudinal section, some of the nuclei are
"wavy" or corkscrew shaped. This happens when the muscle contracts just before the tissue is fixed. Compare
this longitudinal section of smooth muscle with a longitudinal section through the tendon. Note the differences
in the size and distribution of nuclei as well as the abundance of collagen fibers in the tendon.