Uncontractile

Uncontractile describes the inability of a muscle, tissue, or substance to shorten or contract in response to a stimulus. This term highlights the absence of the fundamental property of contraction, which is crucial for movement and function in biological systems. It signifies a state of rigidity, flaccidity, or inertness where the material remains at a fixed length or volume, failing to exhibit the typical shortening associated with contraction. This can be due to various factors, including structural damage, lack of necessary energy, or the absence of contractile proteins.

Uncontractile meaning with examples

• After the severe nerve damage, the paralyzed limb showed uncontractile muscles, failing to respond to any electrical stimulation. The patient's rehabilitation focused on stimulating the muscle to try make it contract and avoid the uncontractile state.
• The experimental tissue scaffold, unfortunately, presented uncontractile properties and didn't demonstrate the expected shape change under the applied force, thereby making it unsuitable for the intended application.
• In the study of muscular dystrophy, the affected muscles exhibited uncontractile characteristics as the disease progressed, weakening the ability to contract and causing loss of function and strength.
• Due to denaturation, the protein fibers in the meat sample became uncontractile. They lost their ability to shorten, rendering the food less chewy and affecting its texture during the cooking process.