Airway smooth muscle

Airway smooth muscle is a type of muscle tissue located within the walls of the airways in your lungs. Its main role is to control the size of the airways by contracting or relaxing, which affects how much air flows in and out during breathing. When the muscle contracts, the airways narrow, making it harder to breathe; when it relaxes, the airways widen, allowing easier airflow. This regulation is essential for efficient breathing, but in conditions like asthma, the smooth muscle can over-contract or become overly sensitive, leading to breathing difficulties.